Shape-memory structures

ABSTRACT

Polymeric foams and elastomer/hydrogel bicontinuous composite structures derived from high internal phase emulsions and possessing shape-memory characteristics are disclosed, as well as processes for forming the same and uses thereof in, for example, manufacturing of various articles.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/892,606 filed on May 13, 2013, which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/646,537 filed on May 14, 2012, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to polymericmaterial science and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to novelHIPE-derived shape-memory polymeric materials.

Smart materials constitute a class of substances exhibiting a changewhen exposed to an external stimulus. The change can be effected in acontrolled and sometimes reversible fashion. The external stimuli can bephysical or chemical and can include, for example, temperature, stress,moisture, pH, electric fields, and magnetic fields. A sub-class of smartmaterials includes shape memory alloys and polymers. Shape memorypolymers (hereinafter SMPs) are polymeric smart materials that have theability to return from a temporary deformed shape to their originalshape, when the deforming stress has been ceased and the polymer hasbeen exposed to an external trigger (stimulus), such as a temperaturechange. Deformation can be, for example, compression, corrugation,bending or folding. After a typical SMP undergoes deformation, it“remembers” its original shape when the deforming stress is removed andthe recovery-triggering stimulus is activated (e.g., when a temperaturechange activates its “memory”).

Shape-memory polymers are useful in numerous applications spanningvarious areas of everyday life, such as, for example, smart fabrics,heat-shrinkable tubes for electronics or films for packaging,self-deployable sun sails in spacecraft, self-disassemblingmobile-phones, and intelligent medical devices and implants forminimally invasive surgery.

SMPs have generated substantial interest for biomedical applications asthey offer the ability to promote minimal-incision invasive surgery,provide structural support, exert stabilizing forces, elute therapeuticagents, and possibly biodegrade. In general, polymeric medical devicescan be engineered to elicit a shape-memory effect, triggered bytemperature, pH, humidity, light, electric or other stimuli offacilitating molecular motion and enabling shape recovery. SMPs bearmost of their promise in their potential to provide compacted medicaldevices for minimally invasive surgery, which could be passed through asmaller incision in their temporary folded/shrunk shape and be deployedto their full original shape once inside the body [Yakacki C. M. et al.,Adv Polym Sci, 2010, 226, 147-175].

Tobushi, H. et al. [Smart Materials & Structures, 2004, 13, 881-887]disclose shape-memory polyurethane foams whose recovery temperature isbased on their glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging between 50 and60° C., and having foam densities about 0.07 grams per centimeter cubed.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,049,591 and 6,583,194 teach shape-memory polyurethanefoams which take on a deformed shape and an as-molded shapeinterchangeably at a temperature higher than the glass transitiontemperature (Tg) thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,441 teaches a shape memory foam member which iscompressible with heating; cooled with keeping the shape memory foammember in the compressed state; and released from the compressivepressure on the shape memory foam member after cooling, substantiallyrecovering its original shape by heating.

U.S. Patent Application having Publication No. 2009/0149617 teachesshape memory polymer (SMP) networks formed using acrylate-based monomerscomprising mono-functional acrylates which are controllably crosslinkedusing a crosslinker such as poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)(PEGDMA).

U.S. Pat. No. 7,795,350 teaches shape memory polymeric materials havinga glass transition temperature, Tg, exceeding room temperature andexhibiting a rubbery modulus and elasticity derived substantially fromphysical crosslinks. These materials are prepared by blending componentsincluding one crystalline polymer and two amorphous polymers.

The shape-memory effect is not an intrinsic property, meaning thatpolymers do not display this effect by themselves. Shape-memory resultsfrom a combination of polymer chemistry, polymer morphology, andspecific processing and can be referred to as imbuing polymer withfunctionality. By conventional processing, e.g. templating, extrudingand injection molding, the polymer is formed into its initial, permanentshape. Afterwards, in a process called programming, the polymer sampleis deformed and fixed into the temporary shape. Upon application of anexternal stimulus, the polymer recovers its initial, permanent shape.

One aspect in polymer functionalization relating to shape-memory iscrystallinity. As is widely known in the art, polymers are composed oflong molecular chains which form irregular, entangled coils in the melt.Some polymers may retain such a disordered structure upon cooling, andthus convert into amorphous solids, while in other polymers, thebackbone chains rearrange upon cooling and form partly ordered regions,referred to herein as crystalline regions. Polymers that can formcrystalline or semi-crystalline regions upon cooling from the melt arereferred to as “crystalline polymers” or “semi-crystalline polymers”.

Polymer crystallinity can play an important role in the shape-memoryphenomena, wherein melting and freezing of the crystalline regions serveas molecular switches between the different shape states. The transitionpoint is governed by the melting temperature, and heat serves as astimulus.

FIG. 1A presents an illustration of the cycle of programming andrecovery of a shape-memory polymer having a semi-crystalline morphologyin at least the deformed shape. This cycle can be repeated severaltimes, with different temporary shapes in any subsequent cycle. As canbe seen in FIG. 1A, net-points, represented by black dots, whichdetermine the permanent shape of the polymer network and can be of achemical (covalent bonds) or physical (intermolecular interactions)nature, and crystalline backbone chain regions, represented by parallellines, serve as molecular switches.

Shape-memory polyurethane foams whose recovery temperature is based onTm of about 30° C., manufactured by the salt leaching method, having acell size range of 400 to 1000 μm and a density of about 0.11 grams percentimeter cubed have been prepared and characterized previously [Chung,S. et al. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2010, 117, 2265-2271].

Crystallinity can also be conferred by side-chain moieties, as opposeto, or combined with, backbone chain crystallinity, as employed in otherpolymeric applications, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,778.Side-chain crystallinity has also been employed in shape-memorypolymers, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,650.

FIG. 1B presents an illustration of the melt-freeze cycle of a polymerhaving a semi-crystalline morphology conferred by side-chain moieties.

One particular polymer templating, relating to a processing alternativein imbuing polymer functionality, is known as solution or emulsiontemplating, as achieved in polymerization within some emulsions. Suchprocesses are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,131.

High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) are typically formed from twoimmiscible liquids, typically being water as a major dispersed orinternal phase, and a highly hydrophobic liquid as a minor continuous orexternal phase, in the presence of a surfactant which is insoluble inthe internal phase. The amount of surfactant needed to stabilize a majorphase dispersed within a minor phase may reach up to 30% of the weightof the minor phase. HIPEs can also be stabilized through the formationof Pickering emulsions, as described below.

PolyHIPEs are highly porous polymers synthesized by polymerization ofmonomers within the external phase of HIPEs with internal phase volumesthat are typically greater than 74% by volume of the emulsion. MostpolyHIPEs are based on the co-polymerization of hydrophobic monomers andcrosslinking co-monomers within the continuous phase of water-in-oil(w/o) HIPEs, followed by the removal of the internal phase, therebyproducing a porous air-filled polymer.

A variety of polyHIPEs and polyHIPE-based materials have beensynthesized and reported in the art. The porous morphology andproperties of a polyHIPE was found to depend, among other factors, onthe type and amount of the HIPE-stabilizing amphiphilic surfactant.

High internal phase emulsions stabilized by surfactants and polyHIPEsmade therefrom are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,131,which teaches porous polymeric materials (foams) made from HIPEs whichinclude water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions having at least 70%of an internal aqueous phase and less than 30% of an external oil phase,wherein the oil phase comprises a vinyl polymerizable monomer and asurfactant effective to stabilize the emulsion, and wherein thesurfactants are oil soluble and include an oxyalkylene component.

Surfactant-based polyHIPEs are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.3,988,508. Typically, the surfactants which are used in polyHIPEs aredifficult and/or costly to remove. This disadvantage is more acute forpolyHIPEs where unusually large quantities of surfactant are needed,hence displacing/replacing the surfactants in HIPEs can proveadvantageous, especially for polyHIPE syntheses.

PolyHIPEs based on long side-chain acrylic monomers using divinylbenzenecontaining divinylbenzene (DVB) or ethylene glycol dimethacrylate(EGDMA) as comonomer crosslinking agents have been reported [Livshin, S.et al., Macromolecules 2007, 40, 6349-6354; and Macromolecules 2008, 41,3930-3938], wherein the comonomer crosslinking agent was mixed with theother monomers in the polymerization reaction to afford a crosslinkedcopolymer. It would be expected that such polymers would possess someshape-memory due to the crystallizable side-chain moieties, however,these polyHIPEs were not reported as exhibiting any significantshape-memory attributes, probably due to the fact that copolymerizationand crosslinking using a comonomer reduces crystallinity of the longside-chain moieties significantly, essentially by restricting themovement of the backbone chains as well as the side-chains [Livshin, S.et al., Soft Matter, 2008, 4, 1630-1638].

A Pickering emulsion (named after S. U. Pickering who first describedthe phenomenon in 1907) is a surfactant-free emulsion stabilized bymicro- or nano-scaled solid particles that preferentially migrate to theinterface between the two liquid phases. The aforementioned standardamphiphilic surfactants reduce the oil-water interfacial tension. Thesolid particles of a Pickering emulsion form rigid shells that surroundpolyhedral or spheroidal droplets of the dispersed phase and preventcoalescence thereof. The particles' shape and size, inter-particleinteractions, and the wetting properties of the particles with respectto the liquid phases affect its ability to stabilize HIPEs. Thestability of Pickering emulsions based on inorganic particles can beenhanced by chemically modifying the particles' surface with organicmoieties that increase their tendency to migrate to the interface, anddetermines their ability to stabilize oil-in-water (o/w) or water-in-oil(w/o) emulsions.

Several different chemical surface modification methodologies, includingsilane modification, have been used to change the hydrophilic nature ofthe surface of silica nanoparticles such that they are able to stabilizePickering emulsions. Silane coupling agents are commonly used to enhancefiber/matrix adhesion in polymer composites. Alkoxysilanes andchlorosilanes contain groups that bind covalently with silica throughreaction with the hydroxyl groups on its surface. These silanes alsocontain hydrophobic organic groups that decrease surface hydrophilicity.Silane-modification thus enhances the amphiphilic character of theparticles' surface, making it more suitable for Pickering emulsions andthe corresponding HIPE stabilization. The extent of silica surfacereaction with methyldichlorosilane was demonstrated to affect the degreeof hydrophobicity and to determine whether it would stabilize an o/w ora w/o Pickering emulsion. In addition to controlling surfacehydrophobicity, a silane that bears a vinyl group as part of thechemical surface modification can act as a monomer during aco-polymerization reaction.

Pickering HIPEs containing up to 92% internal phase, stabilized with1-5% by weight of either titania or silica nanoparticles, whose surfaceswere modified with oleic acid, have been reported [Menner, A. et al.,Chemical Communications, 2007, 4274-4276; and Ikem, V. O. et al.,Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2008, 47, 8277-8279].Similarly, partially oxidized carbon nanotubes were used to stabilizeHIPEs containing up to 60% internal phase [Menner, A. et al., Langmuir,2007, 23, 2398-2403] and poly(methyl methacrylate) microgel particleswere used to stabilize HIPEs containing 50% internal phase [Colver, P.J.; Bon, S. A. F., Chemistry of Materials, 2007, 19, 1537-1539].

U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,037 discloses foams containing functionalizedmetal-oxide nanoparticles and methods of making the same.

Thus, the advantages of using Pickering HIPEs with a relatively smallamount of nanoparticles for forming polyHIPEs include eliminating theneed for standard surfactants, eliminating the need for procedures toremove such surfactants, and eliminating the problems associated withresidual and leachable surfactants. Most of the polyHIPEs synthesizedfrom such Pickering HIPEs exhibited relatively large voids (300 to 400μm in diameter). Smaller voids of about 50 μm in diameter were observedwhen poly(styrene/methyl methacrylate/acrylic acid) particles were usedto stabilize Pickering HIPE [Zhang, S.; Chen, J., ChemicalCommunications, 2009, 2217-2219]. PolyHIPEs from Pickering HIPEs do notusually exhibit the highly interconnected porous structures typical ofconventional polyHIPEs but, rather, exhibit a somewhat interconnectedstructure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present have now devised and successfully prepared and practicednovel HIPE-derived shape-memory polymeric foam compositions. Theshape-memory polymeric foam compositions are characterized by atransition temperature that is conferred by crystallizable side-chainmoieties which are made free for forming crystalline regions by virtueof their backbone chains being crosslinked substantially at thesolid-gas interface rather than within the bulk of the polymer. BeingHIPE-derived, the shape-memory polymeric foam compositions have amicrostructure of a polyHIPE, as well as highly notable shape-memorycharacteristics.

The present inventors have further devised and successfully prepared andpracticed novel shape-memory bicontinuous composite structures (SM-BCSs)composed of a continuous polymeric porous solid matrix and a continuoushydrogel filling the pores in the solid matrix.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present inventionthere is provided a shape-memory polymeric foam composition thatincludes a polymeric porous solid matrix composed of a plurality ofbackbone chains, wherein at least a portion of the backbone chainsincludes a plurality of side-chain moieties; the backbone chains arearranged such that the side-chain moieties are capable of forming acrystalline structure, and wherein at least a portion of the backbonechains are crosslinked substantially at a solid-gas interface of thepolymeric foam composition.

According to some embodiments of the invention, when the composition isdeformed by an external stress at a temperature above its meltingtemperature (Tm) and the temperature is then lowered below the Tm whilemaintaining the stress, the composition substantially retains itsdeformed shape. According to further embodiments, when the stress isceased and the temperature is then raised above the Tm, the compositionsubstantially recovers to its original shape.

According to some embodiments of the invention, at least a portion ofthe side-chain moieties form the crystalline structure below the Tm.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the backbone chainsessentially do not non-crosslinked within the bulk of the porous solidmatrix.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the composition ischaracterized by a gel content greater than 85 percent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the backbone chains aresubstantially amorphous at any temperature.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the Tm of thecomposition ranges from 20° C. to 90° C.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the elastic modulus thatranges from 0.1 to 10 MPa at a first temperature and a elastic modulusthat ranges from 1 to 100 kPa at a second temperature, wherein the firsttemperature is lower than the Tm and the second temperature is higherthan the Tm.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the first temperatureranges from 0° C. to 10° C. and the second temperature ranges from 60°C. to 90° C.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compositionpresented herein is characterized by a shape recovery ratio higher than80 percent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compositionpresented herein is characterized by a shape fixity ratio higher than 90percent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each of the elasticmodulus, shape recovery ratio and shape fixity ratio is independentlyconsistent within 10 percent of an average value obtained in a number ofrepetitive test cycles ranging from 2-10.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compositionpresented herein has a degree of crystallinity (Xc) at a temperaturelower than the Tm that ranges from 30 to 60 percent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compositionpresented herein has a density (ρ) that ranges from 0.05 to 0.3 gramsper centimeter cubed.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each of the side-chainmoieties is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₀₋₃₀moieties, aromatic moieties, hydrogen-bond forming moieties and polarmoieties.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each of the side-chainmoieties is independently a C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chain moiety.

According to some embodiments of the invention, C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chainmoieties are selected from the group consisting of decanyl (C₁₀),undecyl (C₁₁), lauryl (C₁₂), tridecanyl (C₁₃), myristyl (C₁₄),pentadecanoyl (C₁₅), palmitoleyl (C₁₆), palmityl (C₁₆), heptadecanyl(C₁₇), stearyl (C₁₈), linoleyl (C₁₈), oleyl (C₁₈), nonadecanyl (C₁₉)icosanyl (C₂₀), docosanyl (C₂₂) and any mixtures thereof.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each of the backbonechains is independently characterized by a tacticity selected from thegroup consisting of atactic, isotactic, syndiotactic and any combinationthereof.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each of the backbonechains is independently selected from the group consisting ofpolyacrylate backbone chains, polymethacrylate backbone chains,polyethylene backbone chains, polyurethane backbone chains, polyamidebackbone chains, polyester backbone chains, polysiloxane backbonechains, polyether backbone chains and polyaryl backbone chains.

According to some embodiments of the invention, each of the backbonechains is polyacrylate backbone chains and/or polymethacrylate backbonechains.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compositionpresented has a microstructure based on the external phase of anemulsion.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the microstructure is aquasi-closed-cell microstructure.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the average celldiameter in the quasi-closed-cell microstructure ranges from 1 μm to 500μm.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compositionpresented herein is produced by subjecting a high internal phaseemulsion (HIPE) having an internal phase and a polymerizable externalphase to polymerization of the polymerizable external phase.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the internal phase ofthe HIPE used to produce the composition presented herein, furtherincludes a hydrophilic monomer, a hydrophilic crosslinking agent and ahydrophilic initiator agent.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a shape-memory bicontinuous composite structure(SM-BCS) which includes a continuous polymeric porous solid matrixcomposed of a plurality of backbone chains and a continuous hydrogelfilling the pores in the continuous polymeric porous solid matrix,wherein at least a portion of the backbone chains exhibits a pluralityof side-chain moieties which is arranged such that the plurality ofside-chain moieties is capable of forming a crystalline structure, andwherein at least a portion of the backbone chains are crosslinkedsubstantially at the matrix-hydrogel interface of the structure.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure is such that when the hydrogel in the SM-BCS is hydratedand the structure is deformed by an external stress at a temperatureabove the melting temperature (Tm) of the matrix, and the temperature isthen lowered below the Tm while maintaining the stress, the structuresubstantially retains its deformed shape. According to furtherembodiments, when the stress is ceased and the temperature is thenraised above the Tm, the structure substantially recovers to itsoriginal shape.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention, atleast a portion of the side-chain moieties form the crystallinestructure below the Tm.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the plurality of backbone chains is essentially non-crosslinked withinthe bulk of the porous solid matrix.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the plurality of backbone chains is substantially amorphous at anytemperature.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the Tm ranges from 20° C. to 90° C.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure has an elastic modulus that ranges from 0.1 to 10 MPa at afirst temperature and a elastic modulus that ranges from 1 to 100 kPa ata second temperature, wherein the first temperature is lower than the Tmand the second temperature is higher than the Tm.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the first temperature ranges from 0° C. to 10° C. and the secondtemperature ranges from 60° C. to 90° C.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure is characterized by a shape recovery ratio higher than 70percent.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure is characterized by a shape fixity ratio higher than 90percent.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure has a degree of crystallinity (Xc) at a temperature lowerthan the Tm that ranges from 30 to 60 percent.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure has a density (ρ) that ranges from 0.05 to 1 grams percentimeter cubed.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,each of the side-chain moieties is independently selected from the groupconsisting of C₁₀₋₃₀ moieties, aromatic moieties, hydrogen-bond formingmoieties and polar moieties.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,each of the side-chain moieties is independently a C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chainmoiety.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chain moiety is selected from the group consisting ofdecanyl (C₁₀), undecyl (C₁₁), lauryl (C₁₂), tridecanyl (C₁₃), myristyl(C₁₄), pentadecanoyl (C₁₅), palmitoleyl (C₁₆), palmityl (C₁₆),heptadecanyl (C₁₇), stearyl (C₁₈), linoleyl (C₁₈), oleyl (C₁₈),nonadecanyl (C₁₉), icosanyl (C₂₀), docosayl (C₂₂) and any mixturesthereof.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,each of the backbone chains is independently characterized by atacticity selected from the group consisting of atactic, isotactic,syndiotactic and any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,each of the backbone chains is independently selected from the groupconsisting of polyacrylate backbone chains, polymethacrylate backbonechains, polyethylene backbone chains, polyurethane backbone chains,polyamide backbone chains, polyester backbone chains, polysiloxanebackbone chains, polyether backbone chains and polyaryl backbone chains.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,each of the backbone chains is polyacrylate backbone chains and/orpolymethacrylate backbone chains.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure has a microstructure based on the external phase of anemulsion.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the microstructure is a quasi-closed-cell microstructure.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention, anaverage cell diameter in the quasi-closed-cell microstructure rangesfrom 1 μm to 500 μm.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the structure is produced by subjecting a high internal phase emulsion(HIPE) having a polymerizable external phase and a jellifiable internalphase to polymerization of the external phase and jellification of theinternal phase.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the internal phase includes a hydrophilic monomer, a hydrophiliccrosslinking agent and a water-soluble initiator agent.

According to some embodiments of the SM-BCS of the present invention,the hydrogel is afforded by the jellification.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a process of preparing a shape-memory polymeric foamcomposition, as described herein, the process includes subjecting a highinternal phase emulsion (HIPE) having an internal aqueous phase and anorganic polymerizable external phase to polymerization and crosslinkingof the polymerizable external phase, the organic polymerizable externalphase includes at least one monomer having a crystallizable side-chainmoiety and capable of being polymerized into a plurality of backbonechains, wherein at least a portion of the backbone chains is arrangedsuch that the plurality of side-chain moieties is capable of forming acrystalline structure, the polymerization being initiated substantiallyin a bulk of the polymerizable external phase and the crosslinking iseffected substantially at an interface between the polymerizableexternal phase and the internal phase.

According to some embodiments of the invention, process furtherincludes, subsequent to the subjecting, removing the internal aqueousphase.

According to some embodiments of the invention, at least a portion ofthe backbone chains are crosslinked substantially at the solid-gasinterface of the shape-memory polymeric foam composition, and theplurality of backbone chains is arranged such that the plurality ofcrystallizable side-chain moieties is capable of forming a crystallinestructure.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the aqueous internalphase and/or the organic polymerizable external phase includes anamphiphilic emulsion stabilizer and crosslinking agent capable ofcrosslinking the portion of the backbone chains.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the aqueous internalphase and/or the organic polymerizable external phase includes anemulsion stabilizer selected from the group consisting of a surfactant,a plurality of modified or unmodified particles or nanoparticles, aplurality of modified or unmodified metal oxide or semi-metal oxideparticles or nanoparticles, a plurality of modified or unmodified silicaparticles or nanoparticles, a plurality of modified or unmodifiedtitania particles or nanoparticles, a plurality of modified orunmodified zirconia particles or nanoparticles, a plurality of modifiedor unmodified alumina particles or nanoparticles, a plurality ofmodified or unmodified carbon black particles or nanoparticles, aplurality of modified carbon nanotubes, and any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the emulsion stabilizeris in the form of a plurality of modified particles or nanoparticleshaving a plurality of polymerizable moieties attached thereon.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the plurality ofmodified particles or nanoparticles is a plurality of modified metaloxide or semi-metal oxide nanoparticles and the plurality ofpolymerizable moieties includes an alkoxysilane.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the alkoxysilane isselected from the group consisting of3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane,3-(acryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane,styrylethyltrimethoxysilane,3-(methacryloxy)propylmethyldimethoxysilane, and3-(n-allylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the plurality ofmodified metal oxide or semi-metal oxide nanoparticles is modified in asolution having a mass ratio of the alkoxysilane to the nanoparticlesthat ranges from 0 to 15.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the emulsion stabilizeris a plurality of modified silica nanoparticles.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the alkoxysilane is3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the concentration of themodified silica nanoparticles ranges from 0.1 percent to 5 percent ofthe total weight of the high internal phase emulsion.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the crystallizableside-chain moiety is selected from the group consisting of C₁₀₋₃₀moieties, aromatic moieties, hydrogen-bond forming moieties and polarmoieties.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the crystallizableside-chain moiety is a C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chain moiety.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chainmoiety is selected from the group consisting of decanyl (C₁₀), undecyl(C₁₁), lauryl (C₁₂), tridecanyl (C₁₃), myristyl (C₁₄), pentadecanoyl(C₁₅), palmitoleyl (C₁₆), palmityl (C₁₆), heptadecanyl (C₁₇), stearyl(C₁₈), linoleyl (C₁₈), oleyl (C₁₈), nonadecanyl (C₁₉) icosanyl (C₂₀),docosayl (C₂₂) and any mixtures thereof.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the monomer is selectedfrom the group consisting of an acrylate, a methacrylate and a diene.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the acrylate is selectedfrom the group consisting of stearyl acrylate, stearyl methacrylate,lauryl acrylate and lauryl methacrylate.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the concentration of themonomer ranges from 5 percent to 40 percent of the total weight of thehigh internal phase emulsion.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the mass ratio of theorganic polymerizable external phase to the aqueous internal phase inthe HIPE ranges from 0.05 to 0.67.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the organic externalphase further includes an organic-soluble initiator agent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the organic-solubleinitiator agent is selected from the group consisting of benzoylperoxide (BPO), azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and dicumyl peroxide(DCP).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the aqueous internalphase further includes an aqueous phase stabilization enhancer.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the aqueous phasestabilization enhancer is selected from the group consisting ofpotassium sulfate, calcium chloride hydrate and sodium chloride.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the high internal phaseemulsion further includes a reinforcing agent, a curing agent, a curingaccelerator, a catalyst, a tackifier, a plasticizer, a flame retardant,a flow control agent, a filler, organic and inorganic microspheres,organic and inorganic microparticles, organic and inorganicnanoparticles, a conducting agent, a magnetic agent, electricallyconductive particles, thermally conductive particles, fibers, anantistatic agent, a antioxidant, a anticorrosion agent, a UV absorber, acolorant and combination thereof.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a process of preparing a shape-memory bicontinuouscomposite structure (SM-BCS), as described herein, which is effected bysubjecting a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) having a jellifiableinternal aqueous phase and an polymerizable organic external phase tojellification of the jellifiable internal aqueous phase andpolymerization and crosslinking of the polymerizable external phase,wherein the jellifiable internal aqueous phase includes at least onehydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophilic crosslinking agent and ahydrophilic initiation agent, and the organic polymerizable externalphase includes at least one hydrophobic monomer having a crystallizableside-chain moiety and capable of being polymerized into a plurality ofbackbone chains, and wherein at least a portion of the backbone chainsis arranged such that the plurality of side-chain moieties is capable offorming a crystalline structure, the crosslinking is effectedsubstantially at an interface between the organic external phase and theinternal aqueous phase.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the hydrophilic monomer is selected from thegroup consisting of acrylamide (AAm), acrylic acid (AAc), methacrylaicacid (MAAc), hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate(HEMA), N-isopropylacrylamide (NiPAAm), and any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the hydrophilic crosslinking agent is selectedfrom the group consisting of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM),N,N′-methylenebis(2-methylacrylamide), methylene diacrylate, methylenebis(2-methylacrylate), diethylene glycol diacrylate, hexamethylenediacrylate, oxybis(methylene)bis(2-methylacrylate),oxybis(ethane-2,1-diyl)bis(2-methylacrylate) and any combinationthereof.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the hydrophilic initiation agent is selected fromthe group consisting of a persulfate salt, potassium persulfate (KPS),rongalite, a sulfite, a peroxide and a hydroperoxide.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, at least a portion of the backbone chains arecrosslinked substantially at the HIPE's phase interface, and theplurality of backbone chains is arranged such that the plurality ofcrystallizable side-chain moieties is capable of forming a crystallinestructure.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the aqueous internal phase and/or the organicpolymerizable external phase includes an amphiphilic emulsion stabilizerand crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the portion of thebackbone chains.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the emulsion stabilizer is a plurality ofmodified particles or nanoparticles having a plurality of polymerizablemoieties attached thereon.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the emulsion stabilizer is a plurality ofmodified silica nanoparticles.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the alkoxysilane is3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the crystallizable side-chain moiety is selectedfrom the group consisting of C₁₀₋₃₀ moieties, aromatic moieties,hydrogen-bond forming moieties and polar moieties.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chain moiety is selected from thegroup consisting of decanyl (C₁₀), undecyl (C₁₁), lauryl (C₁₂),tridecanyl (C₁₃), myristyl (C₁₄), pentadecanoyl (C₁₅), palmitoleyl(C₁₆), palmityl (C₁₆), heptadecanyl (C₁₇), stearyl (C₁₈), linoleyl(C₁₈), oleyl (C₁₈), nonadecanyl (C₁₉), icosanyl (C₂₀), docosayl (C₂₂)and any mixtures thereof.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the hydrophobic monomer is selected from thegroup consisting of an acrylate, a methacrylate and a diene.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the acrylate is selected from the groupconsisting of stearyl acrylate, stearyl methacrylate, lauryl acrylateand lauryl methacrylate.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the concentration of the hydrophobic monomerranges from 5 percent to 40 percent of the total weight of the highinternal phase emulsion.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the mass ratio of the organic polymerizableexternal phase to the jellifiable internal aqueous phase in the HIPEranges from 0.05 to 0.67.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the organic external phase further includes anorganic-soluble initiator agent.

According to some embodiments of the process of preparing the SM-BCS ofthe present invention, the aqueous internal phase further includes anaqueous phase stabilization enhancer.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a shape-memory polymeric foam composition prepared bythe process presented herein.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compositionpresented herein is for use in forming an article-of-manufacture.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided an article-of-manufacturing comprising the compositionpresented herein.

According to some embodiments of the invention, thearticle-of-manufacturing is selected from the group consisting of animplantable medical device, a drug-delivery system, a solid body, afiber, a fabric, a tube, a film, a spring, a rod, a ring, a tubularmesh, a slotted tube, a coil and any combination thereof.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a shape-memory bicontinuous composite structureprepared by the process presented herein.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the shape-memorybicontinuous composite structure is for use in forming anarticle-of-manufacture.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided an article-of-manufacturing which includes theshape-memory bicontinuous composite structure presented herein.

According to some embodiments of the invention, thearticle-of-manufacturing which includes the shape-memory bicontinuouscomposite structure presented herein is selected from the groupconsisting of an implantable medical device, a drug-delivery system, asolid body, a fiber, a fabric, a tube, a film, a spring, a rod, a ring,a tubular mesh, a slotted tube, a coil and any combination thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplarymethods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, thepatent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition,the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are notintended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying figures. With specificreference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that theparticulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrativediscussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, thedescription taken with the figures makes apparent to those skilled inthe art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A-B present background art aspects of shape-memory polymers: thecycle of programming and recovery of shape-memory polymers (FIG. 1A) andthe melt-freeze cycle of crystallizable side-chain moieties (FIG. 1B);

FIG. 2 presents a background art illustration of an exemplary polymericcomposition comprising long side-chain moieties crosslinked by acomonomer, where the crosslinks are marked by heavy lines, the backbonechains are marked by wavy lines and the long side-chain moieties aremarked by zig-zag lines;

FIG. 3 presents an illustration of a polymeric composition comprisingbackbone chains and side-chain moieties, where the backbone chains aremarked by wavy lines, the long side-chain moieties are marked by zig-zaglines and the solid-gas interface is marked by a heavy line, showingthat the backbone chains are connected (crosslinked) essentially at thesolid-gas interface;

FIGS. 4A-C present three photographs of a sample of an exemplaryshape-memory polyHIPE, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention, wherein the sample is shown in its original shape (FIG. 4A),in its deformed shape (FIG. 4B) and after recovery (FIG. 4C), therebyconstituting a deformation and recovery cycle;

FIGS. 5A-H present SEM micrographs showing the microstructure ofexemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention, wherein shape-memory polyHIPEs resulting from HIPEformulation A18-5 is presented in FIGS. 5A-B; formulation M18-2 in FIGS.5C-D, formulation M18-5 in FIGS. 5E-F and formulation M18-10 in FIGS.5G-H;

FIGS. 6A-D present TEM micrographs taken for the exemplary shape-memorypolyHIPE samples, prepared from A18-5 formulation (FIGS. 6A-B) andM18-10 formulation (FIGS. 6C-D), showing cross sections of typical voidwalls;

FIGS. 7A-B are two DSC thermograms plotting heat-flow as a function oftemperature, as measured for control bulk polymer A18 HP and theexemplary shape-memory polyHIPE A18-5 (FIG. 7A), and for control bulkpolymer M18 HP and the exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs M18-2, M18-5 andM18-10 (FIG. 7B);

FIGS. 8A-B present plots of X-ray scattering intensity as a function oftwice the diffraction angle, measured from polymer samples of A18 HP andA18-5 (FIG. 8A), and polymer samples of M18 HP, M18-2, M18-5 and M18-10(FIG. 8B);

FIG. 9 presents comparative plots of storage moduli (E′) as a functionof temperature as measured for exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs preparedfrom formulations denoted A18-5, M18-2, M18-5 and M18-10, according tosome embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A-C present comparative stress-strain curves of exemplaryshape-memory polyHIPEs prepared from formulations denoted A18-5, M18-2,M18-5 and M18-10, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention, obtained at room temperature (FIG. 10A) and obtained at 70°C. using a separate y-axis for A18-5 on the right hand side (FIG. 10B)and using the same y-axis for all samples (insert FIG. 10C);

FIGS. 11A-B present SEM micrographs of a sample of an exemplaryshape-memory polyHIPE M18-5, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention, heated to 70° C., deformed to either about 30 percentdeformation and then cooled to room temperature (FIG. 11A) or to about65 percent deformation and then cooled to room temperature (FIG. 11B);

FIG. 12 presents a plot of the recovery ratio as a function ofdeformation level as measured for an exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEM18-5, according to some embodiments of the present invention, for thefirst cycle of deformation and recovery;

FIGS. 13A-D present four plots of recovery ratios as a function oftemperature, as measured in four deformation and recovery cycles(denoted by N=1, 2, 3 and 4) for the exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEsample A18-5 (FIG. 13A), M18-2 (FIG. 13B), M18-5 (FIG. 13C) and M18-10(FIG. 13D), deformed to about 70 percent;

FIGS. 14A-H are SEM micrographs after four deformation and recoverycycles of exemplary shape-memory polyHIPE A18-5 (FIGS. 14A-B), M18-2(FIGS. 14C-D), M18-5 (FIGS. 14E-F) and M18-10 (FIGS. 14G-H);

FIG. 15 presents a plot of the overall recovery (sample length followingdeformation and recovery cycle N normalized by the initial length beforethe first deformation and recovery cycle, z_(i)(N)/Z_(i)(1)) as afunction of the cycle number, measured for exemplary shape-memorypolyHIPEs prepared from formulations denoted A18-5, M18-2, M18-5 andM18-10, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A-B present a schematic illustration of a shape-memory foamaccording to embodiments of the present invention (FIG. 16A), and ashape-memory bicontinuous composite structure filled with hydrogelaccording to embodiments of the present invention (FIG. 16B);

FIGS. 17A-B preset SEM micrographs of an exemplary shape-memorybicontinuous composite structure filled with hydrogel at twomagnifications, showing the hydrogel-coated inner surface of theclosely-packed spheroids making the quasi-closed cell microstructure;

FIGS. 18A-B preset a schematic illustration of one cell in a BCS wherethe hydrogel in the cell is fully hydrated (FIG. 18A) and where thehydrogel in the cell is dehydrated (FIG. 18B);

FIG. 19 presents a SEM micrograph of a dehydrated sample of ashape-memory bicontinuous composite structure according to someembodiments of the present invention, prepared with stearyl acrylate(A18) monomers and silica NP in the organic phase and hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) monomers in the aqueous phase; and

FIG. 20 presents a comparative plot, showing the heat flow as a functionof the temperature and demonstrating the crystalline nature of theexternal phase polymer for exemplary SM-BCSs and one exemplary SMP foamaccording to embodiments of the present invention, based on varioushydrophilic monomers for forming the hydrogel and all based on A18hydrophobic monomers.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to polymericmaterial science and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to novelHIPE-derived shape-memory polymeric materials.

The principles and operation of some embodiments of the presentinvention may be better understood with reference to the figures andaccompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in itsapplication to the details set forth in the following description orexemplified by the Examples. The invention is capable of otherembodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

As presented hereinabove, the shape-memory effect of polymers is not anintrinsic property, but rather is a result of a chemical composition ofthe polymers, the morphology and macromolecular configuration of thepolymers and the process of their preparation.

As further presented hereinabove, polyHIPEs constitute a group ofemulsion-templated porous polymeric substances, typically foams havingan open-cell, closed-cell, or a quasi-closed-cell microstructure, asthese terms are discussed hereinbelow. Hitherto no shape-memory polymersproduced by emulation templating have been reported.

As discussed hereinabove, polyHIPEs based on long side-chain acrylicmonomers using comonomer crosslinking agents mixed with the othermonomers in the polymerization reaction have been reported [Livshin, S.et al., Macromolecules 2007, 40, 6349-6354; and Macromolecules 2008, 41,3930-3938]. These polyHIPEs were not reported as exhibiting anysignificant shape-memory attributes, probably due to the fact thatcopolymerization and crosslinking using a comonomer reducescrystallinity of the long side-chain moieties significantly, essentiallyby restricting the movement of the backbone chains as well as theside-chains [Livshin, S. et al., Soft Matter, 2008, 4, 1630-1638].

FIG. 2 presents an illustration of a polymeric composition comprisinglong side-chain moieties and crosslinked by a comonomer, where thecrosslinks are marked by heavy lines and the long side-chain moietiesare marked by zigzag lines, as disclosed in the aforementioned art.

While exploring various aspects of Pickering HIPE polymerization, thepresent inventors have surprisingly found that crosslinking certain HIPEformulations, containing monomers with long crystallizable side-chainmoieties, and using silane-modified nanoparticles (SM-NPs), affordsshape-memory polyHIPEs.

While reducing the present invention to practice, it was found thatsetting the locus of polymerization initiation of monomers with longside-chain moieties in a Pickering HIPE to the bulk of the polymerizableexternal phase, and at the same time setting the locus of crosslinkingat the interface between the polymerizable external phase and theinternal phase, affords polyHIPEs with shape-memory attributes. It washypothesized that crosslinking the formulation with SM-NPs substantiallyreduces the restriction of motion of the long side-chain moieties,thereby allowing the long side-chain moieties to approach a degree ofcrystallinity as in non-crosslinked polymers.

While further reducing the present invention to practice, it was foundthat the internal phase may include precursor ingredients that can forma hydrogel based on polymers such as, for example, polyacrylamide,poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate), poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),poly(acrylic acid) poly(methacrylic acid), and N-isopropylacrylamide(NiPAAm), to thereby afford a polyHIPE variant with shape-memoryattributes wherein the voids thereof are filled with hydrogel. In suchcases, the end-product is not a foam in the sense of a gas-filled spongysubstance, but a bicontinuous composite structure (BCS) having acontinuous hydrogel component filling the space in the quasi-closed-cellmicrostructure of the continuous elastomeric component.

As demonstrated in the Examples section that follows, severalshape-memory polyHIPEs based on the polymerization of Pickering HIPEswere manufactured and characterized.

Hence, according to one aspect of embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a shape-memory polymeric foam composition whichincludes a polymeric porous solid matrix composed of a plurality ofbackbone chains having a plurality of side-chain moieties, wherein aportion of the backbone chains is crosslinked substantially at asolid-gas interface of the polymeric foam composition and are thusarranged such that at least some of the side-chain moieties thereon arecapable of forming a crystalline structure.

In the context of embodiments of the present invention, shape-memorypolymers are characterized by a transition temperature, and according tosome embodiments of the present invention, the transition temperature ofthe polymeric foam composition presented herein is a melting temperature(Tm).

Hence, the polymeric foam composition, according to some embodiments ofthe present invention, is a shape-memory polymeric composition in thatwhen the composition is deformed by an external stress at a temperatureabove its melting temperature (Tm) and the temperature is then loweredbelow the Tm while continuing to apply the deformation under stress, thecomposition substantially retains its deformed shape, and when thestress is removed and the temperature is then raised above the Tm, thecomposition substantially recovers its original shape.

The terms “deformed” and “deformation”, and inflections thereof as usedherein, refer to a mechanical state of a polymeric composition which canbe conferred by an external force (stress).

Hence, the phrase “original shape” refers to a stable three-dimensionalstate (shape) of the polymeric foam composition which is essentially setat the end of the polymerization process, and related substantially tothe shape in which the unpolymerized mixture was molded, and the phrase“deformed shape” refers to a temporary shape that the polymeric foamcomposition can take as a result of applying an external stress.According to some embodiments of the present invention, the shape-memorypolymeric foam composition is a foam that can stay in a deformed shape,begotten as a result of applying an external stress thereon, until it isexposed to a temperature above its melting temperature.

The term “polymerization” refers to the reaction between monomer(s) andoptionally crosslinking agent(s), as defined herein, the end of whichsets the original shape of the polymeric foam composition.

The term “foam”, as used herein, refers to a substance that is formed byencompassing a plurality of polydisperse or monodisperse gas bubbles,referred to herein as “cells”, within a mass of a liquid or a solid,constituting the films of walls separating the cells. In the context ofsolid foams, according to some embodiments of the invention, the regionsoccupied by a tangible condensed mass are regarded as the “solid”fraction of the foam, while all other regions not occupied by thisfraction are regarded as the “gas” fraction of the foam.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the foam is acombination of a polymeric porous solid matrix and gas-filled cells,typically filled with ambient air. The phrase “porous solid matrix”, asused herein, refers to the non-gaseous part of the foam, whichcontributes substantially to the mass of the foam but substantially lessto its volume. Hence, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention, the polymeric foam composition presented herein ischaracterized by a density (ρ) that ranges from 0.05 to 0.3 grams percentimeter cubed.

As used herein, the phrase “solid-gas interface” refers to the boundarybetween the solid fraction and the gas fraction of the foam, asdescribed hereinabove, namely surface of the porous solid matrix.

The transition temperature of the polymeric foam composition presentedherein is defined substantially by the crystalline regions formed by theside-chains moieties on the backbone chains of the polymer. It is thesecrystalline regions that melt into a non-crystalline (amorphous) statewhen the temperature is raised, and therefore it is defined as themelting temperature of the polymer. The intrinsic capacity of side-chainmoieties to form crystalline structures is discussed in detailhereinbelow in the context of the monomers forming the backbone chains.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the backbonechains do not take a substantial role in forming these crystallineregions and stay essentially amorphous above and below the meltingtemperature. Hence, the melting temperature is associated with anattribute of the side-chain moieties.

In the context of SMPs based on backbone chain crystallinity, one of theattributes that contributes to the capacity of polymeric backbone chainsto crystallize is the configuration of the polymer chain. Theconfiguration of the polymer chain is determined by, among other things,the geometric arrangement of a monomer that is being added to the end ofa growing polymer molecule with respect to the neighboring monomers. Theconfiguration of polymer chains can affect their ability to crystallize,the crystalline structure, the degree of crystallinity, and the meltingtemperature. The configuration of polymer chains can be modified throughchanges in the polymerization reaction including the catalyst,temperature, pressure, solvent, and other additives to the reaction andto the reaction environment. Head-to-tail and head-to-head (ortail-to-tail) addition of one monomer to another also alters the polymerconfiguration.

The configuration of the polymer chain is also determined by tacticity(assuming head-to-tail addition). The tacticity reflects the relativestereochemistry of adjacent chiral backbone units (asymmetric centers)within polymer molecules. Isotactic polymers consist, for the most part,of monomers with identical orientations. Syndiotactic polymers consist,for the most part, of monomers with alternating opposing orientations.Atactic polymers consist of monomers with random orientations.Typically, isotactic and syndiotactic polymers provide long-rangeorders, which lead to higher crystallinity in the polymer chain. Atacticpolymers have little order in their backbone chains and therefore tendto be amorphous. In the context of embodiments of the present invention,the backbone chains play an indirect role in forming the crystallineregions that give the composition shape-memory qualities; hence thetacticity of the backbone chain can take any form including atactic.

Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention, each ofthe backbone chains in the polymeric foam composition presented hereinis independently characterized by a tacticity selected from the groupconsisting of atactic, isotactic, syndiotactic and any combinationthereof.

In the context of embodiments of the present invention, the capacity toform crystalline regions, or crystallize, is the capacity of side-chainmoieties to align and/or stack over one another and form a spatiallyordered region. However, since the side-chain moieties are tethered tothe backbone chains, their mobility is substantially limited by themobility of the backbone chains, and therefore the capacity of theside-chain moieties to form crystalline regions in a polymericcomposition is correlated to the arrangement of the backbone chains andto the degree of freedom of the backbone chains to rearrange.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the backbonechains in the polymeric foam composition presented herein are arrangedsuch that the side-chain moieties are capable of forming a crystallinestructure, and this arrangement is obtained by that at least a portionof the backbone chains are crosslinked substantially at a solid-gasinterface of the polymeric foam composition, as opposed to beingcrosslinked at any other part along their span in the bulk of the solidporous matrix.

FIG. 3 presents an illustration of a polymeric foam composition,according to some embodiments of the present invention, comprisingbackbone chains and side-chain moieties, where the backbone chains aremarked by wavy lines, the long side-chain moieties are marked by zig-zaglines and the solid-gas interface is marked by a heavy line, showingthat the backbone chains are connected (crosslinked) essentially at thesolid-gas interface.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the mobility of the backbone chains is not ashindered by a network of crosslinks throughout the polymer, therebyconferring a higher degree of freedom to the side-chain moieties.Considering that the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 and theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 3 can represent two polyHIPE-derivedfoams that share similar or identical components, such as the major partof the monomers (hence sharing similar or identical side-chain moieties)excluding the crosslinking comonomers used in configuration illustratedin FIG. 2, and considering that these two configurations even sharesimilar or identical microstructure of the resulting polymeric foamcompositions, a major difference between these configurations stems fromthe locus of crosslinking of the backbone chains; a difference whichexpresses itself primarily by the macroscopic properties of theresulting polymer, such as shape-memory.

Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention, it is thelocus of crosslinking which is substantially at the solid-gas interface,or near the solid-gas interface in the molecular sense, that gives thebackbone chains a sufficient degree of freedom which is then bestowed tothe side-chain moieties, and at this configuration the side-chainsmoieties that are capable of forming a crystalline structure are enabledto form crystalline regions in the bulk of the porous solid matrix.

It is noted herein that in the molecular sense, the locus ofcrosslinking may be regarded as being immediate vicinity of thesolid-gas interface, since the actual locus of crosslinking is notdiscernable and may lay some short distance away from the exactsolid-gas interface into the bulk of the solid. In a molecular sense, a“short distance” means a distance of a few nanometers, or a distance inthe range of about 1-200, 1-100, 1-50, or 1-20 nanometers.

As discussed hereinabove, shape-memory characteristics are realized inthe polymeric foam composition, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention, as a result of the accumulation of at least twofactors: the locus of the crosslinking hub and the presence ofcrystallizable side-chain moieties. Crosslinking results in linking onepolymer chain to another by covalent bonds, coordinative bonds or ionicbonds. When the term “crosslinking” is used in the synthetic polymerscience field, it usually refers to the use of crosslinking agents topromote a difference in the polymer's physical properties.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the backbonechains of the shape-memory polymeric foam composition presented hereinare essentially non-crosslinked in the bulk, namely do not havecrosslinks within the bulk of the porous solid matrix, essentially awayfrom the solid-gas interface.

As used herein, the term “bulk” refers to the inner part of a region ofa condensed mass, essentially a short distance away from the outerboundaries of the region. In the context of embodiments of the presentinvention, the bulk region of the shape-memory polymeric foamcomposition presented herein refers to is any part of, or any locationin the solid fraction of the foam which is not in an immediate vicinityof the solid-gas interface (not at the solid-gas interface), namely morethan a short distance away from the solid-gas interface, as definedhereinabove.

As crosslinking has a notable effect on the gel contents of a polymer,which is the insoluble fraction of a polymeric composition as measuredafter extensive extraction in a suitable solvent, the gel content servesas the manifestation of the efficiency of the crosslinking, showing whatpercent of the backbone chains is connected to the crosslinked networkof backbone chains. As demonstrated in the Examples section thatfollows, the gel contents of exemplary SMP foam compositions presentedherein is above 90%, indicating that the crosslinking of the backbonechains substantially at the solid-gas interface has been effective whilenot rendering the polymer “too stiff” and without losing crystallinityas a result of limiting the mobility of the backbone chains and theside-chain moieties. Such adverse effects on shape-memorycharacteristics were observed when using the organic soluble comonomerdivinylbenzene (DVB) as a crosslinking agent.

Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the gelcontents of the SMP foam compositions presented herein is greater than75%, greater than 85%, or greater than 90%.

The capacity of certain types of side-chain moieties to crystallizestems from the chemical structure of any given type of side-chainmoiety. Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention,the plurality of side-chain moieties comprising the shape-memorypolymeric foam composition presented herein are selected such that theypossess a capacity to crystallize.

As used herein, the term “moiety” describes portion of a molecule, suchas a side-chain branching off a backbone chain in a polymer.

As discussed hereinabove, one of the attributes that defines ashape-memory polymer is the transition temperature. According to someembodiments of the present invention, the transition temperature of theshape-memory polymer as described herein is the melting temperature (Tm)of the shape-memory polymeric foam compositions presented herein. Asknown in the art, the extent of the change that occurs at Tm (a firstorder transition) depends upon the degree of crystallinity; the higherthe degree of crystallinity, the greater the extent of change in thepolymer at the Tm. As a shape-memory transition temperature, a meltingtemperature is advantageous over other transition points, such as glasstransition temperature (a second order transition), since the transitionoccurs in a narrower temperature range and hence the transformation fromthe deformed shape to the original shape can be made over a narrowertemperature range and at a faster rate.

Furthermore, the Tm of a SMP determines its utility in variousapplications. For example, the Tm of the SMP determines at which workingtemperature a device made from the SMP can be deployed, namely triggeredto transform from deformed (e.g., compact) to original (e.g., full)shape. An SMP having a high Tm, such as 90° C., will be limited in usefor e.g., manufacturing of implantable medical devices, since it wouldbe difficult to trigger the device to deploy at 90° C. in the patient'sbody. An SMP with a too-low Tm, e.g. below 10° C. would be limited, forexample, to applications where the working temperature is lower thanroom temperature. A useful SMP would be characterized by a Tm thatranges from room temperature and above, and below water boiling point,namely below 100° C.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the Tm of theshape-memory polymeric foam composition ranges from 20° C. to 60° C.

The pliability of the shape-memory polymeric foam composition presentedherein at various temperatures is a direct consequence of its elasticmodulus at these temperatures. The elastic modulus should changedramatically below and above the Tm, as would be expected from a polymerthat melts and solidifies above and below its Tm.

Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention, theshape-memory polymeric foam composition presented herein has an elasticmodulus that ranges from 0.1 to 10 MPa at a first temperature and anelastic modulus that ranges from 1 to 100 kPa at a second temperature,wherein the first temperature is lower than its Tm and the secondtemperature is higher than its Tm.

It is noted herein that the methods by which SMPs are tested andcharacterized involve mechanical tests conducted at various temperaturesand other physical conditions, which are typically executed as a seriesof repetitive tests. Hence, a meaningful value for various attributes ofpolymers, and particularly in the case of SMPs, is a value that isconsistent within a deviation of 10-30 percent above or below theaverage value. Hence the term “consistent”, as used herein, refers to avalue that results from a series of tests, which falls within plus orminus 10 to 30 percent of an average value obtained in 2 to 10repetitive test cycles.

Accordingly, the elastic moduli values presented hereinabove areconsistent at both first and second temperature ranges. According tosome embodiments of the present invention, the first temperature rangesfrom 0° C. to 10° C. and the second temperature ranges from 70° C. to80° C.

As discussed hereinabove, two quantities that are used to describeshape-memory effects are the strain recovery ratio R_(r) and strainfixity ratio R_(f). The strain recovery ratio, or “shape recoveryratio”, describes the ability of the material to memorize its permanent“original” shape, while the strain fixity ratio, or “shape fixityratio”, describes the ability of switching segments to fix themechanical deformation, such that the material stays in the deformedshape. The shape-memory polymeric foam composition can also becharacterized by the widely used shape-memory attributes, namely shaperecovery ratio and shape fixity ratio, which are both relative valuesgiven in percent deviation from the original and deformed shape,respectively.

Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention, theshape-memory polymeric foam composition presented herein ischaracterized by a shape recovery ratio higher than 80 percent, and ashape fixity ratio higher than 90 percent. It is noted herein that thesevalues are consistent values, as defined hereinabove.

It is noted herein that the thermal history experienced by a polymer canaffect both the degree of crystallinity and the melting temperature ofthe polymer, and the effect on the degree of crystallinity can bepronounced, while the effect on the melting temperature can berelatively mild.

The fraction of the ordered regions in a polymer is referred to hereinas the “degree of crystallinity” or “crystallinity”, and is givenpercent values. High values of crystallinity indicate a polymerexhibiting more numerous and/or larger crystalline regions. Most methodsof evaluating the degree of crystallinity assume a mixture ofcrystalline regions, amorphous regions and the transition regions, andinclude density measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) andX-ray diffraction (XRD). In density measurements and XRD, the degree ofcrystallinity is typically determined at a temperature lower than themelting temperature.

Density measurements of crystallinity assume that crystalline regionsare more densely packed than amorphous regions, with expecteddifferences of up to 10 to 20 percents depending on the polymericcomposition. Calorimetry measurements assume that additional energy isabsorbed upon melting the crystalline regions in the polymer, which canbe measured with differential scanning calorimetry. X-ray diffractionmethods refer to the regular arrangement of atoms and molecules that canproduce sharper diffraction peaks compared to amorphous regions thatproduce broad diffraction rings (halos), and the degree of crystallinitycan be estimated by integrating the relative intensities of the peaksand halos.

According to embodiments of the present invention the shape-memorypolymeric foam composition presented herein is having a degree ofcrystallinity (Xc) that ranges from 5 to 95 percent, or from 30 to 60percent, as demonstrated in the Examples section that follows below.

Solid foams can be classified into open cell structured foams (some ofwhich are reticulated foams) and closed cell foams. Open-cell structuredfoams contain pores that are connected to each other and form aninterconnected network, while closed-cell foams do not haveinterconnected pores. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, the microstructure of the foam is a quasi-closed-cellmicrostructure, namely a foam having cells that are interconnected byrelatively very small openings, which are typically not easilydiscernable even by scanning electron-microscopy, as shown in theExamples section that follows below. According to some embodiments ofthe present invention, an average cell diameter in the quasi-closed-cellmicrostructure characterizing the polymeric foam composition presentedherein ranges from 1 μm to 500 μm.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, shape-memorypolyHIPEs can be prepared with hydrogel filling the cells of thepolyHIPE, and these shape-memory hydrogel-filled polyHIPEs are referredto herein as SM-BCSs. The shape-memory response of SM-BCSs may alsooccur in liquid media. For example, the shape-memory response can beeffected, e.g., by applying stress to a hydrated SM-BCS in water at atemperature above the Tm of the elastomeric component, the temperatureis then dropped below the Tm while maintaining the stress on the SM-BCS,thereby fixing the SM-BCS in the deformed shape, and then elevating thetemperature of the water above the Tm without applying stress toessentially recover the original shape of the SM-BCS.

Due to the relatively small openings interconnecting the cells(quasi-closed-cell microstructure), the hydrated hydrogel in the BCSsremains trapped inside the cells and becomes part of the compositioneven when stress is applied thereon.

Without being bound by any particular theory, it is also presumed thatsome moieties in the hydrogel are mechanically entangled with and/orcovalently bonded to corresponding moieties in the polymeric matrix ofthe polyHIPE.

When dehydrated, the hydrogel may shrink but remains inside the cells.Thus, while the term “foam” describes a porous solid matrix havinggas-filled cells, the term “bicontinuous composite structure”, or BCS,is used in the context of some embodiments of the present invention todescribe substantially similar porous solid matrix having aquasi-closed-cell microstructure as in the case of the foam, other thanthe voids or cells in the porous solid matrix are filled with anon-gaseous substance other that the substance that makes the poroussolid matrix. In such a bicontinuous structure, the two substancesconstitute two distinctive and continuous yet inter-entangled masses.According to some embodiments of the present invention, the porous solidmatrix is made substantially from an elastomer, and the cells are filledwith a hydrogel. In such embodiments, the porous solid matrix maycontribute to the mass of the composition substantially less compared tothe contribution to the mass of the entrapped hydrogel, particularlywhen fully hydrated.

Herein and throughout, any reference to a SMP foam is applicable to aSM-BCS unless specified otherwise.

As discussed hereinabove, the shape-memory polymeric foam composition aswell as the shape-memory bicontinuous composite structures presentedherein are products of a polymerization reaction of an external phase ofa HIPE, however it is noted that embodiments of the present inventionare meant to encompass shape-memory polymeric foam compositions, asdefined herein, which were arrived at by other polymerization processeswhich are not necessarily derived from a HIPE.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, themicrostructure of the polymeric foam, as well as that of the BCS, isthat of an external phase of a high internal phase emulsion, as thisterm is used herein and known in the art. Such a foam or BCS istypically obtained by subjecting a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE)having an internal phase and a polymerizable external phase topolymerization of the polymerizable external phase.

From the aspects of the process of preparation and chemical composition,the shape-memory bicontinuous composite structures are distinguishedfrom the shape-memory polymeric foam compositions primarily by havingadditional ingredients in the internal aqueous phase which can undergo apolymerization/crosslinking reaction to form a hydrogel. For clarity andto distinguish this polymerization process, which takes place in theinternal aqueous phase to afford a hydrogel, from the polymerization ofthe organic phase, this “wet” polymerization is referred to herein asjellification. Accordingly, an internal aqueous phase which includesingredients which can afford a hydrogel (undergo jellification), isreferred to herein as a jellifiable internal aqueous phase.

Hence, according to another aspect of embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a process of preparing a shape-memorypolymeric foam composition. The process is effected by subjecting a highinternal phase emulsion (HIPE) having an internal aqueous phase and anorganic polymerizable external phase to polymerization and crosslinkingof the polymerizable external phase. The organic polymerizable externalphase includes at least one monomer having a crystallizable side-chainmoiety and capable of being polymerized into a plurality of backbonechains, wherein at least a portion of the backbone chains is arrangedsuch that the side-chain moieties are capable of forming a crystallinestructure. The polymerization reaction of the process is initiatedsubstantially in the bulk of the polymerizable external phase and thecrosslinking reaction is effected substantially at an interface betweenthe polymerizable external phase and the internal phase.

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present invention wherebicontinuous composite structures (BCSs) are to be prepared, the processpresented herein includes hydrogel-forming polymerization andcrosslinking (jellification) of the internal phase of the HIPE, whichoccurs substantially concomitantly with the polymerization andcrosslinking of the external phase. The result of this jellificationprocess is the formation of a hydrogel within the polymerized organicphase that remains therein after the polymerization step. Namely,according to such embodiments, the jellified residue of the internalaqueous phase is not removed but rather remains trapped inside the cellsof the quasi-closed-cell microstructure that is obtained during thepolymerization and crosslinking reactions of the external phase of theHIPE, thereby forming a bicontinuous composite structure.

According to embodiments of the present invention, when a BCS isprepared with similar constituents and general methods as SMP foams ofthe present invention, apart from adding hydrogel-forming constituentsto the internal aqueous phase of the HIPE, the resulting polyHIPE is aBCS having shape-memory characteristics. Such BCS is also referred toherein as SM-BCS.

Hence, in the context of SM-BCSs, the process is effected by subjectinga high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) having a jellifiable internalaqueous (hydrophilic) phase and an organic (hydrophobic) polymerizableexternal phase to jellification of the jellifiable internal aqueousphase and polymerization and crosslinking of the polymerizable externalphase.

According to this aspect of preparing the SM-BCS presented herein, thejellifiable internal aqueous phase includes at least one hydrophilicmonomer, at least one hydrophilic crosslinking agent and a hydrophilic(water-soluble) initiation agent, and the organic polymerizable externalphase includes at least one hydrophobic monomer having a crystallizableside-chain moiety and capable of being polymerized into a plurality ofbackbone chains, wherein at least a portion of the backbone chains isarranged such that the plurality of side-chain moieties is capable offorming a crystalline structure, the polymerization being initiatedsubstantially in a bulk of the polymerizable external phase and thecrosslinking of the hydrophobic polymer is effected substantially at aninterface between the polymerizable external phase and the internalphase.

As the processes of polymerization and crosslinking are essentiallysimultaneous, it can be said that among other matters, a HIPE-derivedshape-memory polymeric foam composition is afforded when the initiationof polymerization is effected throughout the organic external phase (thebulk of the polymerizable phase) and the crosslinking of the emergingpolymeric chains is effected essentially at the location where theinternal phase is in contact with the external phase (the interface). Asdiscussed herein, other factors correspond to the shape-memoryattributes, such as the presence of crystallizable side-chain moieties.

Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention at least aportion of the backbone chains are crosslinked substantially in theimmediate vicinity of the phase interface of the HIPE, which essentiallyconstitutes the solid-gas interface of the resulting shape-memorypolymeric foam composition, and the backbone chains thus arranged suchthat the crystallizable side-chain moieties are capable of forming acrystalline structure across some regions in the polymer.

In the context of SM-BCSs, the jellification occurs throughout the bulkof the jellifiable internal aqueous phase, and the processes ofjellification (internal phase), polymerization and crosslinking(external phase) are essentially simultaneous.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the ratio of theorganic polymerizable external phase to the aqueous internal phase insuch a HIPE ranges from 0.05 to 0.67. Alternatively it can be said thatthe mass ratio of polymerizable external phase to the aqueous internalphase ranges from 5 to 95 (5:95) to 4:6 parts, respectively. Furtheralternatively it can be said that the mass of the internal phaseconstitutes from 60% to 95% of the total mass of the HIPE. These phaseratio values correlate with the foam density values presentedhereinabove.

The process presented herein further includes a step at which theremaining internal aqueous phase is removed by, for example, draining,drying, centrifugation and any other mean that will facilitate theremoval of the internal aqueous phase through the interconnected cellsof the quasi-closed-cell microstructure that is obtained during thepolymerization and crosslinking reactions. Once the internal aqueousphase is removed, the shape-memory polymeric foam composition presentedherein is obtained.

As HIPEs are intrinsically unstable, the HIPE is typically stabilized byadding an emulsion stabilizer to either the internal phase and/or theexternal phase. The stabilizer typically exhibits an amphiphilic nature,namely it is partly hydrophobic and partly hydrophilic, and by virtue ofits contribution to the surface forces at the interface, it stabilizesthe emulsion.

HIPE stabilizers include organic (e.g., poly(oxyethylene glycol alkylethers)) and inorganic (e.g., polyphosphates) surfactants (smallmolecules) and, in the case of Pickering HIPE, inorganic or organicparticles. Exemplary emulsion stabilizers that are suitable for use inthe context of some embodiments of the invention include, withoutlimitation, surfactants such as the Span family of surfactants (such assorbitan monooleate (SMO), sorbitan monolaurate (SML)), polyglycerolpolyricinoleate (PGPR), and the Hypermer family of surfactants, whichare all usually used for w/o HIPEs, as well as the Tween family ofsurfactants, the Triton family of surfactants, sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), usually used for o/w HIPEs, and inaddition block copolymers such as PEO-PPO-PEO and the likes, any organicand inorganic particles or nanoparticles, which are surface-modified orunmodified, such as, for a non-limiting example, metal oxide orsemi-metal oxide particles, silica particles, titania particles,zirconia particles, alumina particles, carbon black particles and carbonnanotubes.

Another ingredient which is used in the process presented herein is acrosslinking agent. As used herein, the phrase “crosslinking agent”refers to a substance that promotes or regulates intermolecularcovalent, ionic, hydrogen or other form of bonding between polymericbackbone chains, linking them together to create a network of backbonechains which result in a more rigid structure. Crosslinking agents,comonomers or nanoparticles having a plurality of polymerizable moietiesattached thereon, as defined hereinbelow, contain a functionalitygreater than two, for example, two double (vinyl) bonds (a functionalityof four) or three amines (a functionality of three), creating chemicalbonds between two or more polymer backbone chains.

A comonomer crosslinking agent is a monomer that is incorporated intothe backbone of a growing polymer in the course of the polymerizationreaction. In general, comonomers are used to spread the crosslinkshomogeneously along the polymeric backbone chain without any means ofcontrolling the locus of crosslinking. As discussed herein, polyHIPEwhich were crosslinked with comonomers were not shown to exhibitshape-memory attributes.

The solid-gas interface of the foam, which in the case of Pickering HIPEusing nanoparticles to stabilize the emulsion is essentially where thenanoparticles are found after the polymerization reaction, is the locusof crosslinking, and this solid-gas interface corresponds to theinterface between the liquid phases in the unpolymerized HIPE. Hence,according to some embodiments of the present invention, the chemicalmoieties that govern crosslinking should be located at or near theinterface. As a mean of effecting the crosslinking reactionsubstantially at that interface, the crosslinking agent according tosome embodiments of the invention, is an amphiphilic surfactant that isalso a crosslinking agent.

Examples of amphiphilic surfactant that is also a crosslinking agent mayinclude, without limitations, a block or graft copolymer with ahydrophilic block such as poly(ethylene oxide) and an unsaturatedhydrophobic block such as polybutadiene.

Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention theaqueous internal phase and/or the organic polymerizable external phaseinclude an amphiphilic emulsion stabilizer and crosslinking agentcapable of crosslinking the backbone chains at or near the phaseinterface of the HIPE.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the HIPE used toproduce the shape-memory foam is a Pickering HIPE, namely a HIPE whichis afforded and stabilized by use of particles. Pickering emulsions canbe made with nanometer-sized or micrometer-sized particles.

The particles can be inorganic (metals, semiconductors, oxides,carbides, nitrides, sulfides, etc.) or organic (polymers insoluble inboth phases, crosslinked polymers that can swell but not dissolve). Theparticles could be of any shape.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the emulsionstabilizer is in the form of a plurality of silica nanoparticles, andmore specifically, a plurality of silica nanoparticles having theirsurface modified so as to possess the additional functionalitiesdiscussed herein and demonstrated in the Examples section that follows.

As used herein, the term “nanoparticle” describes one or more nano-sizeddiscrete mass of solid particles being less than 100 nm in the smallestaxis thereof. The nanoparticles, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention, have an average particle diameter less than about 100nm, less than about 50 nm, less than about 20 nm, less than about 10 nm,less than about 5 nm and even less than about 1 nm. In some embodiments,the nanoparticles have an average particle diameter in the range of, forexample, 1-100 nm, 1-50 nm, 1-20 nm, 1-10 nm or 5-10 nm. According tosome embodiments of the present invention, the nanoparticles areinorganic nanoparticles which are suspendable in liquid media and canstabilize a HIPE, namely capable of forming Pickering HIPE compositions.As noted hereinabove, HIPEs can be stabilized with nanometer-sizedparticles to millimeter-sized particles, hence the description ofsurface modification of the particles applies to particles of all sizes.

While contemplating the process of preparing the shape-memory polymericfoams presented herein, the conjecture of the present inventors was thatconditions suitable for forming a HIPE-derived shape-memory foam can beafforded by, for example, modifying the emulsion-stabilizingnanoparticles to act also as the crosslinking hub, or by modifying asurfactant emulsion stabilizer, which typically resides at theinterface, to act as the crosslinking agent (crosslinking hub).

The additional functionalities are added to the nanoparticles by surfacemodifications, affording modified particles or nanoparticles. Thephrases “modified particles”, “modified nanoparticles” and anyparticular examples thereof, such as “modified silica nanoparticles”,refer to particles or nanoparticles which have been treated by one ormore chemical reactions so as to modify the chemistry of their surface(surface-modified nanoparticles), thereby bestowing chemical reactivityto the nanoparticles which was not present in the parent nanoparticles.In general, when referring to inorganic nanoparticles in the context ofan emulsion stabilizer of Pickering HIPE, according to embodiments ofthe present invention, it is meant to encompass a plurality of fullymodified, partially modified and un-modified nanoparticles, unless oneis specifically excluded.

As used herein, the phrases “associate with”, “associating with” and“attached to” encompass covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding,electrostatic attraction, London forces, π-π interactions, hydrophobicinteractions and dipole-dipole interactions.

The surface chemistry of the particles can be modified by any method orprocess known in the art, such as etching by acid, base, plasma orradiation. In the context of the present embodiments, a nanoparticle ismodified by way of grafting, namely covalently attaching a plurality ofchemical moieties thereto by reacting one or more surface-modifyingagents with reactive surface groups which are found on the surface ofthe nanoparticle. For instance, a surface modifying and polymerizableagent exhibiting a vinyl group thereon, can be grafted on thenanoparticle by reacting the same with reactive surface hydroxyl groupssuch that a plurality of polymerizable vinyl moieties are now covalentlyattached to its surface, thereby modifying the nanoparticle to act as acrosslinking agent (hub).

The type of available reactive surface groups depends on the particularnanoparticle and the process of its manufacturing. Surface groupstypically affect the interfacial tension of the nanoparticle in a givenmedia. Typical reactive surface groups include, without limitation,hydroxyl groups, carbonyls, thiols, amines and the likes.

The term “moiety”, as used herein, refers to a part of a molecule thatpossesses a particular structure of functionality. A molecule possessingsuch functionality can be attached to another chemical entity, therebyconferring, at least to some extent, the same functionality to thechemical entity. Thus, in the context of the present invention, the term“moiety” refers to the active portion of a corresponding agent, while“active” refers to the relevant activity of the agent, which is appendedto the term “moiety”. In the context of the surface-modifiednanoparticles, the surface of the nanoparticle is modified by having“modifying moieties” attached to its surface, hence surface modifyingmoieties. The surface modifying moieties stem from reactingsurface-modifying agents with the nanoparticle via its surface reactivegroups. Exemplary modifying moieties include, without limitation,polymerizable moieties and initiation moieties, as defined hereinbelow.

Methods of surface-modifying silica particles using silane functional(meth)acrylates are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,491,508,4,455,205, 4,478,876, 4,486,504 and 5,258,225, which are incorporatedherein. It is noted herein that agents other that silane can be usedsuccessfully in modifying the surface of organic and inorganic particlein the context of the present embodiments.

Useful surface modified silica nanoparticles include silicananoparticles surface modified with silane surface modifying agentsincluding, e.g., acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane,3-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane,3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, n-octyltrimethoxysilane,isooctyltrimethoxysilane, and combinations thereof. Silica nanoparticlescan be treated with a number of surface modifying agents including,e.g., alcohol, organosilane including, e.g., alkyltrichlorosilanes,trialkoxyarylsilanes, trialkoxy(alkyl)silanes and combinations thereofand organotitanates and mixtures thereof.

Useful surface modified zirconia nanoparticles include a combination ofoleic acid and acrylic acid adsorbed onto the surface of the particle.

Exemplary methods of surface modifying organic particles are disclosed,for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,407 which is incorporated herein.Other useful surface modification processes and surface modifiedparticles are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,801,185,4,522,958, 6,586,483, 7,129,277 and 7,189,768, which are incorporatedherein.

In the context of multi-functional modified nanoparticles, according tosome embodiments of the present invention, each individual nanoparticlewhich has been modified to bear a plurality of moieties that canparticipate in the chain-growth polymerization reaction as would othermonomers, is in essence a crosslinking agent that serves as acrosslinking hub. Since any one of the plurality of polymerizablemoieties attached to the nanoparticle is capable of becoming a member ofa polymeric chain, the nanoparticle itself is the hub for all thepolymeric chains that emanate therefrom. Since the modifiednanoparticles are essentially amphiphilic emulsion stabilizers, they arelocated at the phase interface, and serve the dual role of being anamphiphilic emulsion stabilizer and crosslinking agent in a PickeringHIPE.

Collectively, monomers useful for use as polymerizable moietiesaccording to some embodiments of the present invention, may berepresented as being a monomer containing a vinyl group (e.g., ethylene,propylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, acrylates, methacrylates,styrenes, dienes) or a vinylidene group having the structural formulaCH₂═C< where at least one of the disconnected valences is attached to anelectronegative radical such as phenyl, acetoxy, carboxy, carbonitrileand halogen, examples of the monomers being those hereinbefore listed aswell as styrene, vinylnaphthalene, alphamethylstyrene, dichlorostyrenes,alpha-methylene carboxylic acids, their esters, nitriles and amidesincluding acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, acrylamide; the vinyl esters ofalkanoic acids including vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate,vinyl butyrate, vinyl pyridine; the alkyl vinyl ketones including methylvinyl ketone; the conjugated diolefines including butadiene-1,3;isoprenes chloroprene, piperylene and 2,3-dimethyl-butadiene-1,3.

Additional monomers useful as polymerizable moieties, according to someembodiments of the present invention, include, without limitation,ring-opening monomers such as lactams, lactones, cyclic ethers andepoxides; condensation monomers such as di-carboxylic acids,di-acylhalides, diamines, di-amides, di-esters, diketones, amino-acids,polyols and the likes.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, surfacemodifying moieties which can be used for transforming nanoparticles intocrosslinking agents via a silane or other surface modifying agents, maybe monomers having a vinyl ester moiety, including alkyl acrylates andalkyl methacrylates, alkyl maleates such as methyl maleate, alkylfumarates such as ethyl fumarate, vinyl ethers such as methyl vinylether, alkyl methacrylates such as ethyl methacrylate and alkylitaconates such as ethyl itaconate. When tethered to the surface of thenanoparticle via silane, these surface modifying moieties are referredto collectively as alkoxysilanes.

According to embodiments of the present invention the modified particlesor nanoparticles are modified metal oxide or semi-metal oxidenanoparticles and the surface modifying moieties are polymerizablemoieties which include an alkoxysilane.

According to embodiments of the present invention the alkoxysilane isselected from the group consisting of3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane,3-(acryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane andstyrylethyltrimethoxysilane.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the modified metaloxide or semi-metal oxide nanoparticles is modified in a solution havinga mass ratio of alkoxysilane to nanoparticles that ranges from 0 to 15.As demonstrated in the Examples section below, a series of silicananoparticles were modified to exhibit various surface density ofpolymerizable moieties on their surface, by varying this mass ratio.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the concentration ofthe modified silica nanoparticles ranges from 0.1 percent to 5 percentof the total weight of the HIPE.

Since the polymerizable external phase is the part of the HIPE thatundergoes polymerization, the organic external phase can be regarded asan unpolymerized mixture, ready to undergo an initiation event andpolymerize. The polymerizable entities in the unpolymerized mixture aretypically referred to as monomers. Hence, according to some embodimentsof the present invention, the organic external phase is an unpolymerizedmixture which includes at least one monomer characterized by having acrystallizable side-chain moiety that is capable of forming crystallineand semi-crystalline structure regions given sufficient degree offreedom, as discussed hereinabove.

In the context of monomers discussed herein, the term “moiety” describesthe portion of the monomer that is not made part of the backbone chainafter polymerization, hence referred to as a side-chain of a monomer.

As used herein, the phrase “crystallizable side-chain” refers to amoiety that branches-off a polymeric chain side-chain, which ischaracterized by an inherent capacity to form crystalline regions undercertain conditions. The crystallizable side-chain moiety stems from themonomer(s) used to form the polymeric backbone chain, however, aninherent capacity to form crystalline regions is expressed when aplurality of such crystallizable side-chain moieties form a part of apolymer.

A “monomer having a crystallizable side chain” therefore describes amonomer that when polymerized, the obtained polymer can be arranged soas to form a crystalline structure as a result of the presence of thesecrytallizable side chain in the monomer. Such monomers, which possess astructure that may impart crystallinity to the formed polymer, arerecognized in the art.

Exemplary side-chain moieties, which posses the capacity to crystallize(crystallizable side-chain moieties) include, without limitation, longhydrocarbon moieties, aromatic moieties, hydrogen-bond forming moieties,polar moieties and the likes. Long hydrocarbon moieties, driven byvan-der-Waals forces, tend to align; aromatic (aryl or heteroaryl)moieties, driven by π-π interaction, tend to stack; and hydrogen-bondforming moieties, driven by hydrogen-bond formation, tend to formdonor-acceptor marching pairs. Regardless of the force driving thesemoieties to crystallize as side-chains in a polymer, such a side-chainmoiety is referred to herein as a “crystallizable side-chain moiety”.

Non-limiting examples of monomers having a crystallizable side-chainmoiety include α-olefins such as 1-octadecene, 1-hexadecene,1-tetradecene, 1-dodecene, 1-decene, 1-nonene, 1-heptene and the likes;n-alkyl acrylates and n-methacrylates such as octadecylacrylate/methacrylate, octadecyl acrylate/methacrylate, lauryl (dodecyl)acrylate/methacrylate; non-aliphatic acrylates/methacrylates such as(ethylene glycol) methyl ester acrylate/methacrylate, (ethyleneglycol)phenyl ether acrylate/methacrylate; fluorinated n-alkylacrylates/methacrylates such as tridecafluorooctylacrylate/methacrylate, heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate/methacrylate,heneicosafluorododecyl acrylate/methacrylate,hexadecafluoro-9-(trifluoromethyl)decyl acrylate/methacrylate;n-acrylamides such as octadecylacrylamide; vinyl ethers and esters suchas cetylvinyl ether, vinyl palmitate, vinyl stearate, phenylene etherand vinyls having polyaromatic side-chains such as 4-vinylbiphenyl;n-alkylmaleinimides, phenylmethacrylic esters of n-alkoxybenzoic acidsand n-acyl styrenes and siloxanes.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a longhydrocarbon side-chain moiety in, for example, a vinyl or acrylatemonomer or any type monomer, is a branched or unbranched, saturated orunsaturated hydrocarbon chain having a primary chain of 10 to 30 carbonatoms which may be interrupted by one or more hereto-atom, is referredto herein as a “C₁₀₋₃₀ moiety”. A C₁₀₋₃₀ moiety can be alkyl, alkenyl oralkynyl, as these terms are defined herein.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” describes an aliphatic hydrocarbonincluding straight chain and branched chain groups. The alkyl group may10 to 30 carbon atoms, or 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Whenever a numericalrange; e.g., “10 to 30”, is stated herein, it implies that the group, inthis case the alkyl group, may contain 10 carbon atoms, 11 carbon atoms,12 carbon atoms, etc., up to and including 30 carbon atoms. The alkylcan be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted, the substituentcan be, for example, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl and/or aheteroaryl, as these terms are defined hereinbelow.

The term “alkenyl” describes an unsaturated alkyl, as defined herein,having at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon doublebond. The alkenyl may be substituted or unsubstituted by one or moresubstituents, as described for alkyl hereinabove.

The terms “alkynyl” or “alkyne”, as defined herein, is an unsaturatedalkyl having at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbontriple bond. The alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted by one ormore substituents, as described hereinabove.

The term “aryl” describes an all-carbon aromatic monocyclic orfused-ring polycyclic (i.e., rings which share adjacent pairs of carbonatoms) groups having a completely conjugated pi-electron system. Thearyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Substituted aryl mayhave one or more substituents as described for alkyl hereinabove.

The term “heteroaryl” describes a monocyclic or fused ring (i.e., ringswhich share an adjacent pair of atoms) group having in the ring(s) oneor more atoms, such as, for example, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur and, inaddition, having a completely conjugated pi-electron system.Representative examples of heteroaryls include, without limitation,furane, imidazole, indole, isoquinoline, oxazole, purine, pyrazole,pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, quinoline, thiazole, thiophene, triazine,triazole and the like. The heteroaryl group may be substituted orunsubstituted as described for alkyl hereinabove.

As demonstrated in the Example section below, HIPE-derived shape-memoryfoams were successfully produced by polymerizing exemplary acrylate andmethacrylate monomers having the exemplary C₁₈ crystallizable side-chainmoieties.

In the example of a long hydrocarbon side-chain moiety, one criterionfor selecting a suitable monomer is the Tm of the resulting polymer itproduces, with preference to long hydrocarbon side-chain moiety monomershaving a high degree of crystallinity and a Tm above room temperature.Hence, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the term“C₁₀₋₃₀ side-chain moiety” includes, without limitation, decanyl (C₁₀),undecyl (C₁₁), lauryl (C₁₂), tridecanyl (C₁₃), myristyl (C₁₄),pentadecanoyl (C₁₅), palmitoleyl (C₁₆), palmityl (C₁₆), heptadecanyl(C₁₇), stearyl (C₁₈), linoleyl (C₁₈), oleyl (C₁₈), nonadecanyl (C₁₉),icosanyl (C₂₀), docosanyl (C₂₂) and any mixtures thereof.

It is noted that these examples should not be taken as limiting in thecontext of the type of monomer and its polymerization chemistry or thetype of crystallizable side-chain moiety and the manner by which itforms crystalline structures.

Exemplary monomers useful in the context of the present embodimentsinclude, without limitation, acrylates, methacrylates, dienes, vinylesters, vinylidenes, lactams, lactones, cyclic ethers, epoxides,di-carboxylic acids, di-acylhalides, diamines, di-amides, di-esters,diketones, amino-acids, polyols and the likes.

Non-limiting examples of suitable monomers include various acrylates andmethacrylates such as stearyl acrylate, stearyl methacrylate, laurylacrylate and lauryl methacrylate and the likes.

In the context of the present embodiments, the unpolymerized mixture canbe composed of more than one type of monomer (comonomers), whereaspolymerization of such mixtures leads to the formation of a copolymer.As long as the unpolymerized mixture is capable of forming a HIPE, andthe resulting co-polymer is capable of forming crystalline regions tosome extent under the conditions described herein, such an unpolymerizedmixture containing such monomers is suitable for forming theshape-memory polymeric foam composition presented herein.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, theconcentration of the monomer(s) ranges from 5 percent to 40 percent ofthe total weight of the HIPE.

The type of a monomer defines the type of polymer resulting from itspolymerization, and hence defines the backbone chains. Hence, accordingto embodiments of the present invention, backbone chains in theshape-memory polymeric foam composition resulting from the processpresented herein include, without limitation, polyacrylate backbonechains, polymethacrylate backbone chains, polyethylene backbone chains,polyurethane backbone chains, polyamide backbone chains, polyesterbackbone chains, polysiloxane backbone chains, polyether backbone chainsand polyaryl backbone chains.

According to some embodiments, the backbone chains are polyacrylatebackbone chains and/or polymethacrylate backbone chains.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the organic externalphase, namely the unpolymerized mixture, further includes anorganic-soluble initiator agent. It is noted that an organic-solubleinitiator agent is more likely to ensure multiple initiation eventswhich would take place throughout the bulk of the polymerizable organicphase.

Exemplary organic-soluble initiator agents include benzoyl peroxide(BPO), azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP).

It is noted herein that the invention is not limited to the use of oneparticular polymerization mechanism, and hence not limited to anyparticular initiation mechanism. However, it is noted that it ispreferable that multiple initiation events take place throughout thebulk of the polymerizable organic phase. A variety of polymerizationmechanisms including, but not limited to, chain-growth polymerization(free radical, controlled free radical, anionic, cationic and the like)and step-growth polymerization (condensation and addition and the like),ring opening polymerization, and others, are also encompassed andcontemplated according to embodiments of the invention presented herein.For example, a photoinitiator can be used, and a light/radiationactivated initiator can be dispersed or dissolved in the organicexternal phase. For another example, a shape-memory foam can be formedfrom a HIPE which is based on polymer solutions in which evaporation ofone or more constituents of the solution (e.g., solvent) is used toproduce the final polymeric composition, such that the solidificationprocess is effected by loss or reduction in quantity of one or morevolatile component from the HIPE.

The internal aqueous phase of the HIPE may contain additional componentsand ingredients which can either assist in stabilizing the HIPE, assistin promoting polymerization at the interface and/or contribute tocrosslinking at the interface. Other additives may be added to confervarious properties to the HIPE or polymerization process, and even tothe dried foam, since a solute or at least a portion thereof, may stickto the walls of the porous matrix after the internal phase has beensubstantially removed. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, the aqueous internal phase further includes an aqueous phasestabilization enhancer, such as potassium sulfate, sodium chloride,calcium chloride hydrate and the likes.

The unpolymerized mixture may further comprise reinforcing agents,conducting agents, magnetic agents, curing agents, cure accelerators,catalysts, tackifiers, plasticizers, flame retardants, flow controlagents, fillers, organic and inorganic microspheres, organic andinorganic microparticles, organic and inorganic nanoparticles,electrically conductive particles, thermally conductive particles,fibers, antistatic agents, antioxidants, anticorrosion agents, UVabsorbers, colorants and other typical additives which add beneficialproperties to the finished polymer.

It is noted herein that an additive can also be dispersed rather thandissolved; hence, an additive can be a solid or an immiscible liquidthat is engulfed by the organic phase and is uniformly dispersedsubstantially without forming agglomerates, floating or forming asediment.

As discussed hereinabove, in embodiments wherein the voids of theelastomeric matrix are filled with a hydrogel, namely where the endproduct is a BCS, the polymerizable external phase undergoespolymerization and crosslinking, and the hydrogel-forming components inthe jellifiable internal aqueous phase undergo jellification. Thehydrogel-forming components in the jellifiable internal aqueous phaseinclude water-soluble (hydrophilic) hydrogel-forming monomers,water-soluble (hydrophilic) crosslinking agent(s) and water-soluble(hydrophilic) initiator agent(s), which can form a hydrogel (jellify)upon initiation of polymerization. The hydrogel which is affordedtherewith essentially fills the quasi-closed cells of the matrix,thereby forming the continuous hydrogel mass which is intertwined withthe continuous elastomeric porous matrix in the BCS.

According to embodiments of the present invention, hydrogel-formingmonomers, or hydrophilic monomers, include, without limitation,acrylamide (AAm), acrylic acid (AAc), methacrylaic acid (MAAc),hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), andN-isopropylacrylamide (NiPAAm).

According to embodiments of the present invention, water-soluble orhydrophilic crosslinking agents include, without limitation,N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM),N,N′-methylenebis(2-methylacrylamide), methylene diacrylate, methylenebis(2-methylacrylate), diethylene glycol diacrylate, hexamethylenediacrylate, oxybis(methylene)bis(2-methylacrylate),oxybis(ethane-2,1-diyl)bis(2-methylacrylate) and the likes.

According to embodiments of the present invention, water-soluble orhydrophilic initiator agents include, without limitation, a persulfatesalt such as potassium persulfate (KPS), rongalite, sulfite, a peroxideand a hydroperoxide.

It is noted herein that the scope of embodiments of the presentinvention is meant to also encompass processes and products afforded byinfiltrating, following SMP foam synthesis and drying the resultingfoam, an aqueous solution containing hydrogel-forming monomers,hydrophilic crosslinking agent, and hydrophilic initiation agent, andjellifying the components while inside the soaked SMP-foam. It is alsomeant to encompass infiltration of water soluble, hydrogel-formingpolymers and the chemical means for crosslink these polymers followingpolyHIPE synthesis and drying.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present inventionthere is provided a shape-memory polymeric foam composition preparedessentially by the process presented herein. Such a shape-memorypolymeric foam composition and shape-memory hydrogel-filled polymericbicontinuous composite structures, are characterized by shape fixity andrecovery ratios, density, melting temperature and gel contentsessentially as described hereinabove.

Such shape-memory polymeric foam compositions and bicontinuous compositestructures can be used to form an article-of-manufacture, according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

Hence, according to another aspect of embodiments of the presentinvention there is provided an article-of-manufacture which is wholly orpartially made from any of the shape-memory polymeric foam compositionsor bicontinuous composite structures presented herein.

According to embodiments of the present invention, anarticle-of-manufacturing includes at least some structural elements madefrom shape-memory polymeric foam compositions or bicontinuous compositestructures presented herein which include, without limitation, solidbodies, fibers, fabrics, tubes, films, springs, rods, rings, tubularmeshes, slotted tubes, coils and the likes.

The shape-memory polymeric foam compositions (SMP foam) or bicontinuouscomposite structures (SM-BCS) presented herein can be tailor made tosuit a particular application, and can thus be selected to be, forexample, biocompatible, non-cytotoxic, non-mutagenic, non-immunogenicand the like, acid-resistant, alkaline-resistant,electrically-conducting, -semiconducting or -insulating,light-reflective, UV resistant, and the likes. Such attributes may stemfrom the polymeric composition in terms of the main monomeric orco-monomeric components, and/or additives added at any stage of thepolymerization process to any part of the HIPE, or added following thepolymerization in order to achieve, for example, surface modification,surface functionalization, coating and other modifications which areapplied to the polyHIPE.

As discussed hereinabove, SMP are particularly interesting asimplantable medical devices for minimally invasive surgery. Such devicesmay include, without limitation, catheters, stents, anchors, bone graftimplants, and other implantable devices.

It is noted herein that by virtue of their quasi-closed-cellmicrostructure, the shape-memory foam compositions or shape-memorybicontinuous composite structures presented herein can be used aseffective drug-delivery systems, offering their large surface area aswell as the capacity for controlled release from thesequasi-closed-cells.

The SMP foam compositions presented herein can be utilized as highlyeffective liquid adsorption systems, acting in a similar to sponges thatcan soak-in notable amounts of liquid during shape recovery (expanding).

The SMP foam compositions presented herein can be utilized as highlyeffective insulation systems that fill and seal vacant spaces whileexpanding, similar to injectable or sprayable polyurethane foams.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from thisapplication many relevant HIPE-derived shape-memory foam compositions orshape-memory bicontinuous composite structures will be developed and thescope of the term HIPE-derived shape-memory foam composition orshape-memory bicontinuous composite structures is intended to includeall such new technologies a priori.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other describedembodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the contextof various embodiments are not to be considered essential features ofthose embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without thoseelements.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having”and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, methodor structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, butonly if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materiallyalter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition,method or structure.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from otherembodiments.

The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in someembodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particularembodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional”features unless such features conflict.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example,the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a pluralityof compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention maybe presented in a range format. It should be understood that thedescription in range format is merely for convenience and brevity andshould not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be consideredto have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well asindividual numerical values within that range. For example, descriptionof a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specificallydisclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numberswithin that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This appliesregardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to includeany cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range.The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and asecond indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number“to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and aremeant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all thefractional and integral numerals therebetween.

As used herein the term “method” refers to manners, means, techniquesand procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limitedto, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, orreadily developed from known manners, means, techniques and proceduresby practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological,biochemical and medical arts.

Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineatedhereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below find experimentalsupport in the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with theabove descriptions illustrate some embodiments of the invention in a nonlimiting fashion.

Example 1 Materials and Methods

Materials for Exemplary Shape-Memory PolyHIPEs:

The monomers used for polyHIPE synthesis were stearyl acrylate (A18,H₂C═CHCO₂C₁₈H₃₇, acrylate with a C₁₈ side-chain moiety, Sigma-Aldrich),stearyl methacrylate (M18, H₂C═C(CH₃)CO₂C₁₈H₃₇, and methacrylate with aC₁₈ side-chain moiety, Sigma-Aldrich).

Several types of silane-modified nanoparticles (SM-NPs) crosslinkingagents were prepared as follows. An ethanol/water solution (95 percentby volume ethanol) and an aqueous acetic acid solution (5.5 percent byvolume acetic acid, 1 M) were prepared. The pH of the ethanol solutionwas adjusted to 4.5 by adding 3 percent by volume of the acetic acidsolution thereto. An alkoxysilane was then added to the ethanol/aceticacid solution with the mass ratio of silane-to-NPs (hereinafter r_(m))varied from 0 to 10.6 and left for 1 hour, during which it would undergohydrolysis and condensation.

Fumed silica nanoparticles (NPs) having an average diameter of 7 nm anda surface area of 390 m²/g (Sigma) were added thereafter to theethanol/acetic acid solution and the mixture was stirred for 0.5-1 hour.The particles were filtered using Whatman No. 1 filter paper through aBuchner funnel and dried overnight at 70° C. in a convection oven.

The alkoxysilane coupling agent had a silane functionality of three(trimethoxysilane) and bore a reactive vinyl group. An exemplaryalkoxysilane used was: 3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (MPtMS,248.3 g/mol, by Alfa Aesar).

For silane-modified nanoparticles of type M2-NP, MPtMS at 4.2 percent byweight of the solvents was added and left for 1 hour. Silicananoparticles, 0.7 percent by weight of the solvents, were then addedthereafter and the r_(m) was marked at 6.

For reactions using conventional radical polymerization, benzoylperoxide (BPO, Fluka Chemie) was used as an organic-soluble initiator.Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄, Frutarom, Israel) was added to the aqueousphase as a stabilization enhancer.

For some polyHIPEs, methyl methacrylate (MMA, Aldrich) containing 1percent by weight BPO was infiltrated into the polyHIPE and polymerizedbefore sample ultramicrotomy for microscopic analysis.

Solvent Polymerizations:

Solvent polymerization was used to synthesize non-porous controlmaterials for analysis of shape-memory polyHIPEs. Two control polymerswere synthesized: A18 homopolymer (denoted A18 HP) and M18 homopolymer(denoted M18 HP). The side chain monomer and solvent benzene in ratio of1:1 were mixed in a beaker with a magnetic stirrer. The BPO initiator inamount of 1 percent by weight, relative to the monomer mass, was addedto the monomer solution. Polymerization took place at 65° C., stirringunder reflux for 24 hours. The resulting polymer solution wasprecipitated in methanol and dried in a convectional oven at 80° C.until a constant weight was achieved.

Formulation and Synthesis of Exemplary Shape-Memory PolyHIPEs:

The organic phase consisted of monomers, initiator and silane-modifiedNPs. The aqueous phase, about 84 percent by weight of the HIPE,consisted of water and an aqueous phase stabilization enhancer. Thenanoparticle content varied from 1.8 (rounded to 2) to 10 percent byweight of the monomer mass.

Exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs contained A18 or M18 as a monomer,while the NP content varied from 1.8 (rounded to 2) to 10 percent byweight of the monomer mass. PolyHIPEs were denoted as A18-x or M18-x,where x is the NP content.

The HIPEs were prepared at 50° C., above the melting point of themonomers. The aqueous phase was slowly added to the organic phase withcontinuous stirring. The HIPE was covered with aluminum foil andpolymerized in a circulating air oven at 65° C. for 24 hours. Afterpolymerization the polyHIPEs were dried in a freeze-drier (Christ, Alpha1-2 LD plus) for 48-72 hours, until a constant weight was achieved.

Formulations of exemplary shape memory polyHIPEs were polymerized usingorganic-soluble initiator only, and are listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 HIPE formulation denotation HIPE phase Ingredient A18-5 M18-2M18-5 M18-10 External/organic A18 14.08 (wt %) M18 14.15 14.08 13.98M2-NPs 0.75 0.25 0.75 1.40 BPO 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 Total 15.02 14.6015.02 15.58 Internal/aqueous Water 84.56 84.98 84.56 84.00 (wt %) K₂SO₄0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 Total 84.98 85.40 84.98 84.42

PolyHIPE Properties:

The polyHIPE density, p, was determined using gravimetric analysis. Thepolymerization yield was based on the polyHIPE mass following drying.The gel content (GC) was the mass fraction that remained when the driedpolyHIPEs were immersed for 48 hours in boiling xylene and then dried ina vacuum oven.

Microscopy:

The microstructure of the resulting polyHIPEs was characterized usinglow vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of uncoated cryogenicfracture surfaces (FEI Quanta 200, 20 kV). The average polyHIPE voiddiameters, Dv, were calculated from the SEM micrographs using acorrection for the statistical nature of the cross-section. ThepolyHIPEs were infiltrated with MMA containing 1 percent by weight BPOduring 1 hour under vacuum. The MMA was polymerized at 50° C. in acirculating air oven. Specimens 70 to 80 nm thick were prepared from thePMMA-filled polyHIPEs using ultramicrotomy (Ultracut E, Reichert-Jung)and viewed using TEM (FEI Technai G2 T20 S-Twin, operating at 200 kV).

Mechanical and Thermal Properties:

Compressive stress-strain measurements were carried out untildisplacement limitations were reached (Instron 3345). The moduli werecalculated from the initial slopes of the stress strain curves.

The thermal properties of the polyHIPEs were characterized using dynamicmechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) temperature sweeps at 3° C. perminute in compression at a frequency of 1 Hz on 5×5×5 mm³ cubes (DMTAIV, Rheometric Scientific).

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) temperature scans were used todetermine amounts of crystallinity in the polymers.

The thermal properties of shape memory polyHIPEs (melting temperature,Tm, and the heat of the melting endotherm, ΔH) were investigated usingdifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC, Mettler DSC-821 calorimeter).The samples were heated from −100° C. to 150° C. at a rate of 10° C. perminute in nitrogen. Estimates for the degree of crystallinity (Xc) werecalculated by using Equation 1:

$\begin{matrix}{X_{c} = \frac{\Delta \; H_{e\; {xp}}}{{n \cdot \Delta}\; {H_{f - {CH}_{2}} \cdot w_{t}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

where ΔH_(exp) is the heat of melting of the sample, n is the number ofcarbon atoms in the alkyl side chain, ΔH_(f-CH2) is the contribution ofeach methylene group (3.4 kJ/mol), and w_(t) is the weight percent ofthe side chains in the polyHIPE.

Crystalline Structure:

The crystalline structure was investigated by using X-ray diffraction(XRD, Philips PW 1840 X-ray) with a Ni-filtered Cu-Kα X-ray beam excitedat 40 kV and 40 mA.

Shape-Memory Properties:

The exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs were tested for four cyclicthermomechanical tests (N=4) of deformation and recovery, according to astrain-controlled programming module.

The samples were cut to 10×10×10 mm³ cubes, the cubes were deformed inone dimension, and the initial cube dimension, z_(i)(N), was measured.

In each deformation and recovery cycle, the samples were heated at 70°C. on an Instron machine (Instron 3345), decorated with custom designedoven and temperature controller.

Formulation denoted A18-5 was heated for 1 hour, while formulationsM18-2, M18-5 and M18-10 were heated for 20 minutes. The samplesunderwent a compressive stress-strain deformation test, conducted at 70°C. no the imposed deformation dimension z_(d). The samples were cooledat a constant deformation under stress to room temperature (RT) for 1hour. Thereafter, the stress was removed and the final deformed cubedimension, z_(u), was measured.

The shape fixity ratio, R_(f)(N) in N^(th) deformation and recoverycycle, was calculated, according to Equation 2:

$\begin{matrix}{{R_{f}(N)} = {{\frac{{z_{i}(N)} - {z_{u}(N)}}{{z_{i}(N)} - {z_{d}(N)}} \cdot 100}{\%.}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2}\end{matrix}$

The compressed samples underwent recovery using creep mode above 0.1 μmunder minimal stress of 50 kPa (DMTA IV, Rheometric Scientific) during atemperature sweep at 1° C. per minute, while the deformed cube dimensionunderwent recovery.

After the recovery cycle, the samples were placed in a convection ovenoperating at 70° C. for 10 minutes for a final recovery step with nominimal stress applied. The recovered cube dimension, z_(f), wasmeasured after cooling to room temperature. z_(f) (N) was used as theinitial deformation in the next cycle, z_(i) (N+1)).

The shape recovery ratio, R_(r), was calculated according to Equation 3:

$\begin{matrix}{{R_{r}(N)} = {{\frac{{z_{f}(N)} - {z_{d}(N)}}{{z_{i}(N)} - {z_{d}(N)}} \cdot 100}{\%.}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3}\end{matrix}$

FIGS. 4A-C present three photographs of a sample of an exemplaryshape-memory polyHIPE, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention, wherein the sample is shown in its original shape (FIG. 4A),in its deformed shape (FIG. 4B) and after recovery (FIG. 4C),constituting a deformation and recovery cycle.

Example 2 Structure and Properties of Shape-Memory PolyHIPEs

Exemplary Pickering HIPEs based on exemplary long side-chain monomersA18 and M18, were successfully produced as described hereinabove, usingexemplary M2-NPs (r_(m) is 6) for Pickering HIPE stabilization,exhibiting a high amount of bound silane (higher density of vinylgroups). The polymerization of Pickering HIPEs using a water-solubleinitiator (interfacial polymerization) resulted in polyHIPEs with lowpolymerization yields, possibly due to the lower mobility of the longside-chain monomer that prevents them from diffusing to the oil-waterinterface. Hence, the Pickering HIPEs were based on A18 and M18 thatwere polymerized using an organic-soluble initiator.

As presented hereinabove, the amount of M2-NPs in the variousformulations was varied in the M18-based polyHIPEs from 2 percent byweight to 10 percent by weight, relative to the monomer (see, Table 1hereinabove).

FIGS. 5A-H present SEM micrographs showing the microstructure ofexemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs (SM-polyHIPEs), according to someembodiments of the present invention, wherein SM-polyHIPE resulting fromHIPE formulation A18-5 is presented in FIGS. 5A-B; formulation M18-2 inFIGS. 5C-D, formulation M18-5 in FIGS. 5E-F and formulation M18-10 inFIGS. 5G-H.

Table 2 below summarizes some properties of homopolymers and exemplaryshape-memory polyHIPE formulations (the tilde “˜” symbol represents theterm “about”).

TABLE 2 Yield, ρ, D_(v), GC, T_(m), X_(c), Formulation % g/cm³ μm % ° C.% A18 HP 93.0 0.78 NA 0.0 47.6 65 M18 HP 84.6 0.82 NA 0.0 29.3 51 A18-581.6 0.15 ~22, ~80  91.1 47.5 59 51.2 M18-2 70.0 0.11 ~100, ~275, 75.631.7 43 ~550 M18-5 88.4 0.14 ~65, ~165 98.5 29.4 48 M18-10 82.3 0.19~35, ~100 96.6 30.3 48

As can be seen in FIGS. 5A-H and Table 2, a bimodal void-sizedistribution is obtained where the average void dimensions varied from22 to 165 μm. However, polyHIPE obtained with formulation M18-2exhibited a trimodal void-size distribution with larger average voidsizes. The relatively amount of M2-NPs in M18-2 reduced Pickering HIPEstability, as reflected in the lower polymerization yield and the lowerdensity (see, Table 2). M18-10 exhibited higher density than internalphase content indicating that it underwent partial collapse duringsynthesis.

The microstructure of the voids is typical for polyHIPE from PickeringHIPE that underwent organic-phase initiation. All the polyHIPEs exhibitflaws and cracks in the void walls.

As can be seen in Table 2, A18- and M18-based polyHIPEs were easilydried, and the gel contents (GC) for A18-5, M18-5 and M18-10formulations were above 90 percent, indicating the crosslinking abilityof M2-NPs in combination with organic-phase initiation. As expected, thegel content of M18-2 is lower, reflecting the lower content ofcrosslinking NPs.

As can be seen in Table 2, the crystallinity of NP-crosslinked polyHIPEsis only slightly lower than those of bulk homopolymers. The side-chainsfrom acrylate-based polymers have an enhanced ability to pack intocrystalline regions compared to the side-chains from methacrylate-basedpolymers because of the greater flexibility of the acrylate backbone.This is reflected in the higher crystallinity of A18-5, compared to thatof the M18-based polyHIPEs.

FIGS. 6A-D present TEM micrographs taken for the exemplary shape-memorypolyHIPE samples, prepared from the A18-5 formulation (FIGS. 6A-B) andthe M18-10 formulation (FIGS. 6C-D), showing cross sections of typicalvoid walls.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6A-D, the M2-NPs are located near the voidsurface, between the polyHIPE and PMMA. Since the void surface was theoil-water interface in the HIPE, there was no significant change in NPlocation during polymerization. The greater amount of M2-NPs in M18-10is reflected in the denser layer of the nanoparticles near the voidsurface (FIGS. 6C-D).

Degree of Crystallinity:

Without being bound by any particular theory, it is noted that polymersmade from long side-chain monomers should exhibit a crystallizable phasein order to exhibit shape memory behavior. Differential scanningcalorimetry (DSC) thermograms for all the polyHIPEs have exhibitedmelting peaks at temperatures close to the melting temperature of thebulk homopolymers (see, Table 2 and FIGS. 7A-B).

FIGS. 7A-B are two DSC thermograms showing heat-flow as a function oftemperature, as measured for control bulk polymer A18 HP and theexemplary shape-memory polyHIPE A18-5 (FIG. 7A), and for control bulkpolymer M18 HP and the exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs M18-2, M18-5 andM18-10 (FIG. 7B).

As can be seen in FIGS. 7A-B, the Tm of A18-5 is above room temperature,while the Tm of the M18-based polyHIPEs are about room temperature (alsosee, Table 2), opening the path to interesting applications. A18-5exhibits two melting temperatures, possibly due to two differentcrystallizable phases (FIG. 7A). The Tm peaks of the M18-based polyHIPEwere not affected by the various NP contents (FIG. 7B).

Sharp reflections at 2θ angles of about 21° were reported for the A18and M18 bulk polymers. These angles corresponded to a (1,0,0) latticeconstant of 4.15 Å for the A18 bulk polymer and 4.17 Å for the M18 bulkpolymer.

FIGS. 8A-B present plots of X-ray scattering intensity as a function of20 angle, measured from polymer samples of A18 HP and A18-5 (FIG. 8A),and polymer samples of M18 HP, M18-2, M18-5 and M18-10 (FIG. 8B).

As can be seen in FIGS. 8A-B, all bulk polymers and polyHIPEs exhibitX-ray scattering peaks at 2θ angles of about 21°. The highest intensitypeaks were from A18 HP and M18 HP. The calculated Bragg d-spacings wereslightly higher than in the literature: 4.25 Å for A18 HP, 4.22 Å forA18-5, 4.20 Å for M18 HP, and 4.19 to 4.24 Å for the M18-basedpolyHIPEs. The intensities of the spectra from the polyHIPE were oflower intensity due to the relatively low densities of the polyHIPEsamples.

Hence, the high crystallinity of the exemplary polyHIPEs, according tosome embodiments of the present invention, infer good shape-memoryattributes as observed in the DSC and X-ray scattering experiments.

Example 3 Shape-Memory Attributes of PolyHIPEs

Deformation and Recovery:

FIG. 9 presents comparative plots of storage moduli (E′) in compressionas a function of temperature as measured for exemplary shape-memorypolyHIPEs prepared from the formulations denoted A18-5, M18-2, M18-5 andM18-10, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, the polyHIPE storage moduli (E′) dependstrongly on temperature. The values of E′ decrease by two orders ofmagnitude for A18-5, M18-2 and M18-5 around the polyHIPEs' meltingtemperatures, while the change in E′ for M18-10 was only one order ofmagnitude. This significant decrease in the storage moduli is attributedto melting of the side-chain crystalline regions, converting the stiffpolyHIPEs to elastomeric polyHIPEs.

FIGS. 10A-C present comparative compressive stress-strain curves ofexemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs prepared from the formulations denotedA18-5, M18-2, M18-5 and M18-10, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention, obtained at room temperature (FIG. 10A) and obtainedat 70° C. during the first deformation and recovery cycle, with aseparate y-axis for A-18 on the right hand side (FIG. 10B) and with allsamples using the same y-axis (insert FIG. 10C).

Table 3 presents the Young's compressive moduli of exemplaryshape-memory polyHIPEs prepared from formulations denoted A18-5, M18-2,M18-5 and M18-10, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention, as obtained in four deformation and recovery cycles, eachdenoted by a cycle number N.

TABLE 3 Modulus PolyHIPE at RT, Modulus at 70° C., kPa formulation kPa N= 1 N = 2 N = 3 N = 4 A18-5 8424 35 24 17 26 M18-2 3342 14 5 6 5 M18-54780 17 9 10 21 M18-10 3373 23 10 6 14

As can be seen in FIGS. 10A-C and Table 3, a similar dependence ofmodulus on temperature is observed in the compressive stress-straintests for all samples. At room temperature the polyHIPEs have moduli ofa few MPa, similar to the conventionally crosslinked polyHIPEs (FIG. 10Aand Table 3). The polyHIPEs heated to 70° C. have moduli which are twoorders of magnitude lower, about a few kPa (FIG. 10B and Table 3). A18-5has the highest modulus at RT, which is attributed to its higher degreeof crystallinity (Table 2 and Table 3).

A18-5 also has the highest modulus at 70° C. This may indicate a higherresidual crystallinity content in the polymer with the higher Tm.

Imaging Deformation and Recovery:

FIGS. 12A-B are SEM micrographs of a sample of an exemplary shape-memorypolyHIPE M18-5, according to some embodiments of the present invention,after being heated to 70° C. and then either deformed to about 30percent followed by cooling to room temperature (FIG. 12A) or deformedto about 65 percent followed by cooling to room temperature (FIG. 12B).

As can be seen in FIG. 12A, after about 30 percent deformation thepolyHIPE voids are still relatively spherical and the individual voidsare identifiable, and only slightly flattened.

As can be seen in FIG. 12B, after about 65 percent deformation thepolyHIPE voids are flattened and it is difficult to identify individualvoids.

FIG. 12 presents a plot of the recovery ratio as a function ofdeformation as measured for exemplary shape-memory polyHIPE M18-5,according to some embodiments of the present invention, following thefirst cycle of deformation and recovery.

As can be seen in FIG. 12, up to a deformation level of 50 percent(inclusive) the recovery is about 100 percent. For deformations of 65percent and above the recovery was lower than 100 percent and decreasedwith increasing deformation.

Measuring Deformation and Recovery:

Deformation and recovery cycles were performed at about 70 percentdeformation for some exemplary shape-memory polyHIPEs, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

The shape fixity ratios, for all the polyHIPEs in all the deformationand recovery cycles, were about 100 percent.

FIGS. 13A-D present four plots of recovery ratio as a function oftemperature, measured in four deformation and recovery cycles (denotedby N=1, 2, 3 and 4) for the exemplary shape-memory polyHIPE samplesA18-5 (FIG. 13A), M18-2 (FIG. 13B), M18-5 (FIG. 13C) and M18-10 (FIG.13D), deformed to about 70 percent.

Table 4 presents average shape recovery (R_(r)) ratios of four exemplaryshape-memory polyHIPEs, measured in four deformation and recoverycycles.

TABLE 4 R_(r), % N = 1 N = 2 N = 3 N = 4 A18-5 82.6 91.6 91.9 90.5 M18-286.8 86.9 99.0 98.3 M18-5 92.2 95.0 88.6 97.5 M18-10 78.6 55.4 47.5 56.3

As can be seen in Table 4, A18-5, M18-2 and M18-5 exhibited shaperecovery R_(r), from 82.6 to 99.0 percent. In general, R_(r) tends toincrease with increasing cycle number.

As can be seen in FIG. 13A, A18-5 exhibits a two-stage recoverybehavior. Recalling that the DSC curve of A18-5 exhibited two meltingtemperatures (see, FIG. 7A), it is possible that the two differentrecovery temperatures indicate two different types of crystallinephases.

FIGS. 14A-H are SEM micrographs after four deformation and recoverycycles of exemplary shape-memory polyHIPE A18-5 (FIGS. 14A-B), M18-2(FIGS. 14C-D), M18-5 (FIGS. 14E-F) and M18-10 (FIGS. 14G-H).

Comparing FIG. 14 to FIG. 5, it may be concluded that A18-5, M18-2 andM18-5 recovered their shapes both on the macroscopic scale and on themicroscopic scale during the deformation and recovery cycles.

FIG. 15 presents a plot of the overall recovery (sample length followingdeformation and recovery cycle N normalized by the initial sample lengthbefore the first deformation and recovery cycle z_(i)(N)/Z_(i)(1)) as afunction of the cycle number, measured for exemplary shape-memorypolyHIPEs prepared from formulations denoted A18-5, M18-2, M18-5 andM18-10, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, sample M18-10 exhibited a limited recovery(see also, FIG. 13D and Table 4). The decrease in overall recovery withcycle number is indicative of an accumulation of unrecovered plasticdeformation The overall unrecovered plastic strain in M18-10 during fourdeformation and recovery cycles is 0.63, while those in the otherpolyHIPEs ranged from 0.17 to 0.24 (FIG. 15).

FIGS. 14G-H shows the structure of M18-10 following 4 cycles. Thisstructure is similar to the structure of M18-5 which was cooled to roomtemperature under 65 percent deformation (see, FIG. 11B).

The conjecture stemming from the results obtained for M18-10 is that thethicker, more densely packed nanoparticle assembly at the solid-gasinterface, as defined hereinabove, undergoes some inter-particle plasticdeformation that interferes with the recovery of the polymer above theTm, and, therefore, samples such as M18-10 exhibit SM characteristics toa lesser degree compared to equivalent samples made with lower modifiedNP contents.

Deformation and Recovery Times:

As can be seen from FIG. 13, the recovery temperatures were higher thanthe melting temperatures measured in DSC. This difference may reflectthe poor heat conductivity within the polyHIPEs whose temperatures maybe significantly lower than the temperature of the surroundingenvironment.

As can be inferred from the recovery curves presented in FIG. 13, therecovery duration was only about 10 to 15 minutes.

The porous microstructure of the shape-memory polyHIPEs, according tosome embodiments of the present invention, confers the advantages of alightweight material and the ability to sustain high compressivedeformation levels, and as a result, to achieve high deformations uponrecovery.

The results presented above demonstrate the advantages of HIPE-derivedshape-memory polymers compared to conventional bulk shape-memorypolymers.

Example 4 Shape-Memory Bicontinuous Composite Structures

FIGS. 16A-B present a schematic illustration of a shape-memory foamaccording to embodiments of the present invention (FIG. 16A), and ashape-memory bicontinuous composite structure filled with hydrogelaccording to embodiments of the present invention (FIG. 16B).

Preparation of Shape-Memory Bicontinuous Composite Structures:

As described hereinabove, shape-memory bicontinuous composite structuresare produced by using essentially the same process used for forming thepresently disclosed shape-memory foams, with the main difference beingthe presence of hydrogel-forming constituents in the internal aqueousphase of the HIPE.

An exemplary shape-memory bicontinuous composite structure was producedfrom the following ingredients:

The organic phase (10-15% of the HIPE) contained A18, NPs and BPO aspresented in Table 1 hereinabove;

The aqueous phase (85-90% of the HIPE) contained water and K₂SO₄substantially as presented in Table 1 hereinabove, as well as theexemplary hydrophilic monomer acrylamide (AAm), the exemplaryhydrophilic crosslinking agent MBAM and the exemplary hydrophilicpolymerization initiator agent KPS, wherein the ratio of AAm/MBAM was10:1 molar ratio.

Other formulations which were used for producing other exemplaryshape-memory bicontinuous composite structure are presented in Table 5below.

TABLE 5 A18 - HIPE polyHIPEs Unfilled PAAm PHEMA PHEA PMAAc Phasecomponent Wt % Wt % Wt % Wt % Wt % External A18 14.06 14.06 14.06 14.0614.06 organic (hydrophobic phase monomer) BPO 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20Silica- NPs 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 Total 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00Internal Water 84.58 81.24 81.51 81.47 81.35 aqueous KPS 0.00 0.02 0.020.02 0.02 phase (hydrophilic initiator agent) K₂SO₄ 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.420.42 Hydrophilic 0.00 2.72 2.72 2.72 2.72 monomer MBAM 0.00 0.59 0.320.36 0.49 (hydrophilic crosslinking agent) Total 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.0085.00

Microstructure of Shape-Memory Bicontinuous Composite Structures:

The microstructure of the SM-BCSs presented herein is substantiallysimilar to the of the SMP foam in terms of the elastomeric mass thatstems from the organic (hydrophobic) phase, hence the shape-memorycharacteristics of the resulting hydrogel-filled polyHIPE (bicontinuouscomposite structure) is substantially similar to that of the gas-filledpolyHIPE (foam).

FIGS. 17A-B preset SEM micrographs of an exemplary shape-memorybicontinuous composite structure filled with hydrogel at twomagnifications, showing the hydrogel-coated inner surface of theclosely-packed spheroids making the quasi-closed cell microstructure.

The presently disclosed SM-BCSs can be hydrated and dehydratedreversibly, namely absorb aqueous media by swelling of the hydrogel.

FIGS. 18A-B preset a schematic illustration of one cell in a BCS wherethe hydrogel in the cell is fully hydrated (FIG. 18A) and where thehydrogel in the cell is dehydrated (FIG. 18B).

It is assumed that the dehydrated hydrogel shrinks to a layer thatcovers the inner walls of the cells, and essentially blocking theinterconnecting passages between the cells, as can be seen in theschematic illustration of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 19 presents a SEM micrograph of a dehydrated sample of ashape-memory bicontinuous composite structure according to someembodiments of the present invention, prepared with stearyl acrylate(A18) monomers and silica NP in the organic phase and hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) monomers in the aqueous phase.

As can be seen in FIG. 19, the resulting in a bicontinuous compositestructure exhibits a thin wall separating two spheroid cells, whereinthe silica NPs are located between the elastomeric PA18 and thedehydrated PHEMA hydrogel, whereas the hydrogel appears as a layerhaving a thickness of about 200 nm thick that coats the inner PA18surface of the cell at what was the oil-water interface beforepolymerization of the HIPE and dehydration of the hydrogel.

Mechanical Properties of SM-BCSs:

Table 6 presents some mechanical properties of exemplary SM-BCSsprepared with A18 hydrophobic monomers in the organic phase anddifferent hydrophilic monomers in the aqueous phase, compared to theequivalent SMP foam (unfilled).

TABLE 6 Density Average Gel PA18-based- Polymerization (ρ) cell sizeContent T_(m) X_(c) polyHIPE yield % g/cm³ μm (CG) % ° C. % Unfilled93.8 0.15 44.3 93.7 49.8 55.6 PAAm 83.2 0.21 40.8 95.3 46.45 41.7 PHEMA90.9 0.20 32.4 95.4 47.24 43.9 PMAAc 86.5 0.20 41.5 — 46.45 39.3 PHEA71.5 0.18 44.7 96.7 49.02 44.2

As can be seen in Table 6, SM-BCSs according to embodiments of thepresent invention, are substantially similar to SMP foams according toembodiments of the present invention, while the presence of the hydrogelyields a decrease in crystallinity Xc which leads to a small decrease inthe Tm, and the elasticity modulus of the hydrogel-filled-polyHIPEs isaffected by the presence of the hydrogel.

Shape-Memory Parameters of SM-BCSs:

FIG. 20 presents a comparative plot, showing the heat flow as a functionof the temperature for exemplary SM-BCSs and an exemplary SMP foamaccording to embodiments of the present invention, based on varioushydrophilic monomers for forming the hydrogel and all based on A18hydrophobic monomers, and demonstrating the crystalline nature of theexternal phase polymer while providing the data for the Tm and Xcdetermination presented herein.

Table 7 presents parameters pertaining to the shape-memory response ofexemplary SM-BCSs according to embodiments of the present invention,wherein the water uptake (WU) is defined in Equation 4, wherein M_(i) isthe samples mass before deformation, M_(u) is the sample's mass afterdeformation and temporary shape fixation for a hydrated sample, andM_(f) is the mass of a fully hydrated sample after shape recovery.

$\begin{matrix}{{WU} = {\frac{M_{f} - M_{u}}{M_{i} - M_{u}}.}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 4}\end{matrix}$

TABLE 7 Shape fixity ratio Shape recovery Water uptake Sample (R_(f)) %ratio (R_(r)) % (WU) % Unfilled 100 79.3 2.92 PAAm 100 86.7 31.3 PHEMA100 100.0 77.5 PMAAc 100 99.3 83.4 PHEA 100 76.1 22.8

As can be seen in Table 7, the SM-BCSs (hydrogel-filled-polyHIPEs)exhibited complete recovery in hot water that was superior to therecovery of the unfilled polyHIPE under similar shape-memory responsemeasurements. The shape fixity ratio (R_(f)) of exemplary SM-BCSs for acompressive strain of 70 percents were 100 percents, and SM-BCSsexhibited one-stage recovery, with PHEMA-filled polyHIPEs exhibitingfull one-stage recovery.

As can also be seen in Table 7, the unfilled polyHIPE sample (SMP foam)exhibited relatively poor recovery in hot water, below 80%. Thehydrophobic unfilled SMP foam was not wet by water and thus exhibitedpoor absorption of the hot water. The PMAAc- and PHEMA-filled SMP-BCSsexhibited superior water absorption and thus superior recovery in hotwater.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated in their entirety by referenceinto the specification, to the same extent as if each individualpublication, patent or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Inaddition, citation or identification of any reference in thisapplication shall not be construed as an admission that such referenceis available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent thatsection headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarilylimiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shape-memory bicontinuous composite structurecomprising a continuous polymeric porous solid matrix composed of aplurality of backbone chains and a continuous hydrogel filling the poresin said continuous polymeric porous solid matrix, wherein at least aportion of said backbone chains comprising a plurality of side-chainmoieties, said plurality of backbone chains is arranged such that saidplurality of side-chain moieties is capable of forming a crystallinestructure, and wherein at least a portion of said backbone chains arecrosslinked substantially at a matrix-hydrogel interface of thestructure.
 2. The structure of claim 1, being such that when saidhydrogel is hydrated and the structure is deformed by an external stressat a temperature above the melting temperature (Tm) of said matrix, andthe temperature is then lowered below said Tm while maintaining saidstress, the structure substantially retains its deformed shape.
 3. Thestructure of claim 2, being such that when said stress is ceased and thetemperature is then raised above said Tm, the structure substantiallyrecovers to its original shape.
 4. The structure of claim 2, wherein atleast a portion of said side-chain moieties form said crystallinestructure below said Tm.
 5. The structure of claim 1, being produced bysubjecting a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) having a polymerizableexternal phase and a jellifiable internal phase to polymerization ofsaid external phase and jellification of said internal phase.
 6. Thestructure of claim 1, having a microstructure based on the externalphase of an emulsion.
 7. The structure of claim 6, wherein saidmicrostructure is a quasi-closed-cell microstructure.
 8. The structureof claim 7, wherein an average cell diameter in said quasi-closed-cellmicrostructure ranges from 1 μm to 500 μm.
 9. A process of preparing ashape-memory bicontinuous composite structure, the process comprisingsubjecting a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) having a jellifiableinternal aqueous phase and an organic polymerizable external phase tojellification of said jellifiable internal aqueous phase andpolymerization and crosslinking of said polymerizable external phase,said jellifiable internal aqueous phase comprising at least onehydrophilic monomer, a hydrophilic crosslinking agent and a hydrophilicinitiation agent, said organic polymerizable external phase comprisingat least one hydrophobic monomer having a crystallizable side-chainmoiety and capable of being polymerized into a plurality of backbonechains, wherein at least a portion of said backbone chains is arrangedsuch that said plurality of side-chain moieties is capable of forming acrystalline structure, said crosslinking is effected substantially at aninterface between said polymerizable external phase and said internalphase.
 10. The process of claim 9, wherein said at least a portion ofsaid backbone chains is crosslinked substantially at said interface. 11.The process of claim 9, said aqueous internal phase and/or said organicpolymerizable external phase comprises an amphiphilic emulsionstabilizer and crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking said portionof said backbone chains.
 12. The process of claim 11, wherein saidemulsion stabilizer is a plurality of modified particles ornanoparticles having a plurality of polymerizable moieties attachedthereon.
 13. The process of claim 12, wherein said emulsion stabilizeris a plurality of modified silica nanoparticles.
 14. A shape-memorybicontinuous composite structure prepared by the process of claim
 6. 15.The structure of claim 14, for use in forming an article-of-manufacture.16. An article-of-manufacturing comprising the structure of claim 1.